In Eastern Europe, The Ukraine is fighting for its life.
Black clad ISIS armies are spreading through the Middle East like ideological Ebola.
Hezbollah is pouring into Syria like gasoline on an already out-of-control fire.
Racial tensions in the United States seem tighter, more strained and less hopeful.
American culture feels as if it has lost its innocence and taken on a much darker nature.
A nature about fifty shades darker.
Look anywhere in the world right now and you see turmoil, pandemonium and confusion. Add to that the local crises developing in your neck of the woods – the ones that don’t make national headlines, but involve names you know, people you’ve met. Now stir in your own personal struggles, disappointments and disasters – the diagnosis from a grim-faced doctor, the legal papers you were just served, the layoff the company announced last week. It’s no wonder a lot of us feel like the world is one big tragedy. (Hat tip to the Atlanta Rhythm Section for that line and the title).
You and I control next to nothing of what’s going on across the planet. The truth is, we can do little to shape even the events unfolding right around us. We are, however, able to govern how we respond to all the disarray and disorder.
Perspective
Not for one second do I want to minimize the tragedies people are experiencing right now. The violence of Muslim extremists is gruesome. The suffering in places like Syria, Yemen and parts of Africa is indescribable. The desperation driving people to cross the southern U.S. border is almost a living thing. But even a perfunctory scan of history can put things in perspective.
There have been broader, deadlier international conflicts in the past. Sixty million people died in World War II, over 400,000 from the U.S. In the American Civil War, by some estimates, more than 700,000 died at the hands of men who spoke the same language, lived in the same country, but saluted a different flag.
We have our sociopathic dictators, tyrants and terrorists to be sure, but there was a moment in history when the world was home to Hitler, Mussolini, Hirohito and Stalin. All at the same time.
The stock market has fallen further, faster and harder. Gas prices have been higher. Wages have been lower. Washington has been roiled by bigger scandals. We survived then. We’ll be okay now.
Positive Steps
Once we reflect on the fact that things have been worse, is there anything we can do about the here and now?
Sure. For one thing, instead of just pouring over the news from your go-to information sources, why not pray through it? Is there a story about a conflict in a part of the world where a missionary you support is working? Pray up that part of the world. Staggered by the insane violence of ISIS? Try praying five times today that God will intervene in a powerful way. That’s how many times they’ll be praying to Allah.
In the course of your day, do something good for someone else. This week, I stopped by McDonalds on the way to work to grab an Egg McMuffin and a cup of coffee. The car in front of me in the drive through sported a bumper sticker for a local church. As we idled there waiting for the line to ease forward, I mused on the wisdom of church bumper stickers on cars. When you merge into the post-apocalyptic scene that is Atlanta traffic and begin your Road-Warrior race to your destination, do you really want to advertise where you go to church? I think not.
When it came my turn to pay, the lady at the window waved away my card and said, “The driver ahead of you paid for yours. Have a nice day.” I was stunned. I’d read about this random generosity. I’d seen it on the television news. But I’d never experienced it personally. You know what? I did have a nice day. All because a lady who goes to Free Chapel church in Gainesville, GA, dropped an extra $ 2.78, for no other reason than she believes in Jesus.
Look, everyone you meet is either healing from wounds suffered in some personal battle, in the middle of one at that very moment, or can hear the distant rumble of an approaching conflict. Be nice. I know that doing little things won’t bring peace to the planet, but if chaos is contagious, then so is kindness.
You may not be able to alleviate suffering on the other side of the planet, but you can help somebody nearby. Mow your ninety-year-old neighbor’s lawn (or shovel the snow from their drive). Call your church’s office and offer to use your gifts in one of their ministries. Start a mentoring program in a local school or get involved in one that someone else started.
Will reading a book to a child stop terrorists from beheading another victim? Not a chance. But it will bless that child. And you.
As children, we sang “Brighten the corner where you are.” We didn’t know what good advice that was then, but you have reminded us that God wants us to do that every day. Christians have changed the world through the way they have treated those closest to them – and we can still do that. As Linda said, “Jody hit a home run with this one today.” Thanks for blessing us. John & Linda Clovis
Clearly and well put!!!!!
Thanks, my friend. Ok, since you introduced the Southern rock theme with your ARS reference, how about Gregg Allman’s summary of your well-stated treatise (“Dreams:”)
Just one more mornin’
I had to wake up with the blues
Pulled myself out of bed, yeah
And put on my walkin’ shoes
I went up on the mountain
To see what I could see
And the whole world was fallin’
Right down in front of me
…and then his solution (not unlike yours)
Pull myself together
Put on a new face
Climb down off the hilltop now, baby
Get on back in the race
Keep writing 🙂
Thank you. Our random acts of kindness do more for us than for the person who receives. Keep reminding us.
Thanks for the reminder my friend. You and I both know how we can get so caught up in our own problems that we forget about those who are going through trials and tribulations far worse than our own. What it all comes down to is that while we are hurting, and most of humanity is hurting, we need to hit our knees and thank God for our blessings. You my friend will always be a blessing to me, just for being there in my own trials and tribulations. Always remember Aspergum! Love you Jody.
I read all of your blogs. This is one of my favorites. I go back and read it again and again. It puts things in perspective. As always, you encourage me with your words.