The year 2020 will be marked as the year the proverbial sh** the fan. Division in our nation is escalating. We are divided more than ever along political lines, of course, but, moreover, we are divided along social lines—everything from race to social distancing and masks. To say it is disheartening is an understatement.
How we respond today is far less important than how we change for tomorrow. Personally, I am always hesitant to change my social media profile image or the like in response to crises, because I know that at some point that image will change. I don’t want to give an impression of passing concern. Unfortunately, the next crisis will distract us and get all the attention of the media. Maybe we just have short attention spans and that is why we just keep bouncing from crisis to crisis. I think the problem, however, is deeper than our superficial loyalties. I think we are seeing the inevitable results of a Spiritual void.
I am not speaking of a lack of religion in our communities. Indeed, I think, in many cases, that religion may be at the source of the problems. Religion, after all, is one of the many things that divide us. As a dimension of “well-centered fitness”, I define Spiritual well-centeredness as the belief that there is something greater than oneself—the no one is the center of the Universe. I believe it is central to the belief that “God is love”. I think it is often lost in the Christian faith to whom it was commanded to “love your neighbor” and “love your enemy”.
When we identify with the side of “good” we are still participating in divisiveness. I am reminded that Jesus—the model for good—said to his followers: “Why do you call me good? No one is good—except God alone.” If God is love, then the only good is love—and love has no boundaries. To do good, the Prophet answered: “’You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 19:18-19, NIV). This is a tall order.
There is no “us” and “them”. There is only “us”.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!