The human race would be quite strange if we all had the same opinions. Aside from agreement on certain absolutes like the laws of nature, physics, chemistry and math, we are all passionate and feel strongly about things that are more human centric and what we identify with. But to say we should all agree on social and economic issues would be as much of a stretch as saying we should all display the same personalities. At times, we seem very far apart on what matters to our quality of life; and that’s where we might be better served to pick and choose our battles. If a person makes every opinion an essential point, it appears that they will be constantly angered over failed expectations in the war of words or ideas. Sometimes there needs to be a give and take over non-essential points.
For example, political correctness. For all of its progressive ideals and an unhealthy obsession of hate toward those with a Christian worldview, standing to the left often is acceptant of less personal responsibility and greater government intervention. But how does any of that matter when a grievous or catastrophic event takes place? Whether it’s Mother Nature or man-made, the human-to-human response to an emergency is greater than the dysfunction we watch play out in the social and political news.
Say the home of a liberal party activist is on fire; the arriving fire department is not going to ask their affiliation before rescuing victims. Likewise, if a conservative pro-lifer is in a traffic accident, EMS is not going to pass judgment on their faith views before rendering assistance. The airline pilot will be dutifully honored to transport an assortment of race, creed and ethnic diversity. The meat packing plant and the grain mill are quite pleased to feed the hungry masses of all the citizens of this country. And the next time you’re out on the road, look around; that woman next to you may be on the polar opposite of your political and social spectrum yet both are navigating the same roads and have the same issues to consider. Just like the reaction most of the nation had on 9/11/01, we cooperate with each other when we feel vulnerable and less in control but let us get back to our comfort zone and look out; the claws come out and we bare our teeth.
We all have the same vital needs; but it seems we spend so much time on our differences that we overlook how much the same we are. Our dependence on things that exist naturally or are in just the right balance and timing, far outnumber what we actually do have influence over each day.
I see the news of progressively enlightened Antifa thugs brutalizing a young journalist, in the name of social justice and wonder, if while they were in this euphoric empowerment that they were critically wounded by, say, a building collapse, how different they would sound expecting compassion and care despite their evil actions moments earlier. It doesn’t appear that the "emotional arguments-racebaiting-find-a-cause-to-be-angry-about" crowd has an understanding of how little control there is in the big picture.
Our Creator instructs us to love our neighbor; in fact, the greatest of all attributes is love. Yet there are those that think that’s just a general guideline and that they are masters of their own destiny. Unfortunately, as created beings, that’s not how it works. The emotional arguments become moot, for in the end, the sobering truth will be trying to answer God’s questions of what did we do with the life we were given; and what did we do with His Son Jesus?
Interestingly, some of the last words from billionaire Apple computer founder Steve Jobs before he died, echoed a greater understanding of essential living:
“Realize your true inner happiness does not come from the material things of this world; educate your children to know the value of things, not the price.”
“There is a big difference between a human being and being human; seems few people really understand that.”
“God loves you.”
“Three-minute exposure; a snapshot of life’s imperfect harmony,” by Stew McAuley.
Encouraging your Christian Worldview.
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