What in the world are we doing to this wonderful world that God gave to us to enjoy and care for? What are we doing to the human race?
There is far too much conflict. Our political system grows more toxic each day. Each political party seems to outdo the other(s) in undermining opposing beliefs and agendas.
We see intensive anger at others who have opinions that are in contrast to our own. We see it frequently on social media, especially Twitter and Facebook. It’s all over the internet on sites with political or social agendas. It’s not just sharing civil opinions – it’s bashing anyone in opposition. Many times the anger and coarseness of the attacks rival or exceed what is being attacked.
Athletes and celebrities are emboldened by their popularity over what they do, then believe everyone should pay attention to what they believe. Throwing a football or singing a song does not automatically give them social or political prestige in my mind.
The church is no longer the safe haven many of us always thought it to be. The clergy sex abuse scandal is beyond comprehension. Some of the people who we most expect to protect people have abused and exploited those who are young and innocent. Through it all, lives are ruined and trust is destroyed.
Too many people already have abandoned the church and its teachings and put their focus on the present with no concern about the future.
We have turned away from basic decency and civility in far too many settings. Our language has become so coarse that many people no longer flinch when they hear foul language in public.
There is too little respect, tolerance, sensitivity, compassion and charity.
Families are at odds, often over minor disagreements that grow into major conflicts that may never be mended.
We also are angry in our workplaces and on the roads.
Instead of working together for success, too often we work against each other.
In spite of recent laws, people continue to text and drive. Some hold up traffic and believe what they are doing is far more important than what others may need to do. Others have the mistaken notion that they can control a car and focus on their phone at the same time.
Some drivers become aggressive when they need to be somewhere quickly or when others get in their way. At the least, our travel is stressful. At the most, it becomes dangerous. And all to gain, perhaps, a minute or two.
We don’t care enough about the future of our society or our planet. We saddle our children’s future with public debt and toxic air. Our government spends money it doesn’t have, and we continue to re-elect those who make those decisions.
There are many threats to our atmosphere, including volcanos and fires, but that doesn’t mean we should ignore the negative contributions by humans. Temperatures are rising, and the ice caps are melting.
There is nothing more valuable than life, yet too often we fail to consider the impact of losing it. Some people believe it is their right to sweep away life that might inconvenience, annoy or anger them, even though it is not their own life to control. Somewhere along the line they have come to believe they can be God.
The problems aren’t everywhere, but they are much too prevalent.
There is one way to fix all of this mess. Each one of us has to determine and commit to be a better example and to stop tolerating the breakdown of civilized society.
I believe there still is time. And there is hope. But every day we slide deeper into this destructive hole. One day God will decide He has seen enough. It happened before, only this time He may do more than just wash the bad away. Unless, of course, we destroy the world before He is ready.
It’s not about judging people and telling them how to live, it’s about showing others how to live through the way we live our own lives.
Lately I’ve been fascinated by the phrase “Believe there is good in the world.” I wish I knew the source of it, but when there are words so wise, sometimes it’s more important that they be shared than attributed. I first saw the phrase on a T-shirt. It’s also very popular on plaques and pictures.
More important than that phrase is the one that is found within it: “Be the good in the world.”
That’s where it starts. It’s not too late.
BElieve THEre is GOOD in the world