Ok, I admit it. I am very confused about what is going on in my Country right now. There is so much passion coming from all sides, and there is so much fear being spread by the major players. I get nervous when I hear, if we don't do this, then we will be doomed. Especially when the only difference, from the different perspectives is the representation of the word "this".
I am doing my best to stay tuned in, but I am finding it very difficult to see the positive and appreciative approach that I would like to see. It seems that no matter which way you slice it, this debate on heath care is destined to be a win-lose or a lose-lose situation. There is talk about a win-win, but it is all talk. Nobody from any of the camps is truly acting that way.
Social Justice
There is a term being thrown around right now, and quite honestly, I don't understand it. Nevertheless, I am going to do my best to explain from my own frame of reference what it means to me. I am specifically going to tie it into what is going on in my life right now. The term to which I refer is "Social Justice".
If you are a regular reader, then you are aware that I am in the middle of performing the role of Jesus in Steven Schwartz' musical production Godspell. I am finding this to be a very challenging role for many different reasons, the greatest of which is teaching the beautiful teachings of Jesus and facing the truth about my own inability to follow them. I find it especially difficult to deliver the lines about bothering with a speck in the other's eye when I have a great big plank in my own. The words are convicting me to a better life, but right now, the gap is great.
The Sheep and The Goats
One of His stories that I share, references what it will be like when He returns. He states that he will divide the people into two groups, in much the same way that a shepherd divides the sheep from the goats. The sheep represent those who kept and obeyed His teachings and the goats represent those who did not.
I am sure His followers, wanting to be sheep, wondered how they would know which side they were on. So he said to them:
"When I was hungry, you gave me food. When I was thirsty, you gave me something to drink. When I was naked and with out a home, you took me to your house and clothed me in your clothes. When I was sick and in prison, you came and gave me aid."
Then they asked him, "when did we do all of this", and that is when he taught them the real lesson. He said:
"Inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done it unto me."
He then taught that the goats would not feed the hungry, quench the thirst of those who thirsted, clothe and house the naked and homeless, or give aid to the sick or the jailed. He said that when we did not do these things for those in need, then we could not, and did not do them for Him.
Meeting The Need
Whether you follow the teachings of Jesus or not, these words are powerful. Their meaning applies in all religions, in all faiths, and in all walks of life.
Those who gave assistance did it because they willingly wanted to contribute to the greater good. They were not forced or compelled to do so. They simply had a desire to lift another. They understood that because they were given much, they too must give. They did not wait for the government to tax them or to force them to do it, they exercised their moral agency to comfort the weary and to strengthen the weak.
Those who are forced into contributing to the greater good never do it with pure intent. In fact, they are the ones who go about trying to find the loopholes and the outs. They sit around saying things like, I was given nothing, why should I give to others. They believe that their successes are strictly the result of their own personal brilliance and have nothing to do with good fortune or circumstances. In a sense, they are their own god, believing that they have the "secret" of wealth and that those who do not are lazy and unintelligent.
Sometimes, this same crowd is responsible for creating the laws that would force others to contribute to the greater good. They think that if they make everyone do it, their contribution will somehow be the fact that they got everyone to go in on it. They continually go about placing heavy burdens on the backs of others without ever lifting the load themselves. They see themselves as being above the law and not subject to it.
Where Do You Stand?
I am aligned with the belief that we must be constantly looking for ways in which we can lift the load of others. In fact, I believe that one of the greatest things we can ever do is to lift somebody to a new level. It is much more meaningful than lifting ourselves to a new level.
But we must not be ordered or commanded to do these things, because when we are, we lose the joy that comes from giving. It is wasted away by the burden we feel by being forced to do it.
We must decide to become anxiously engaged in good causes, and to do many good things from our own free will. For that is how we truly demonstrate which side we are on.
When was the last time you volunteered to help someone in need?
If you saw someone who was out of gas on the side of the road, would you stop and help or just pass by?
Are you willing to look around today and meet the needs that only you can meet?
If we were all willing to do these things, then we would not need our government to tell us how to do it. I admit that something must be done, but I would rather choose to be a part of the solution, then to be told that I am the problem. Where do you stand?
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