As I watch the events of recent days unfold — and even more so, watch people respond to recent events, sometimes wisely, sometimes not — my thoughts are a bit in overdrive… “How do we solve this? How do we fix the problems? And what exactly is/are the problems?” … And every now and then a person avers with all certainty exactly what we are to do to fix the problem. They typically blame a singular people group. I contend that rarely, is a single people group to blame.
I haven’t yet organized my thoughts surrounding the events in Dallas and Minneapolis to a place where I can articulate them concisely and well (… I have noticed that others have also not, even though some have still qualified as social media rants). However, prior to these incidents, I was thinking of how often we think we’ve got it all figured out… “All we have to do is _____!” (… exclamation points always included…) And then we act as if we are so wise… we know so much. And I am reminded of the following wisdom…
“But you are a man and not a god…
though you think you are wise as a god.”
My sense is such words were not casually written, and yet, so much of me is quick to dismiss. I think…
Of course, I don’t think I’m wise as a god. What would ever give off that impression?
And yet again…
Sometimes I think I’m so right, there’s no way I could be wrong.
Sometimes I fully declare “this is the right thing to do” — and then entertain no serious consideration of varied opinion.
Sometimes I look down on other people… (… granted, sometimes I’m really good at hiding it… sometimes not…).
Sometimes I creatively chastise other people — maybe I’m clever about it — maybe not. And if not verbally, I may allow the disrespectful thoughts to flow fluidly through my brain. I often fail to take such thoughts captive.
Sometimes I announce my opinion in such a way that it makes others around me feel as something lesser… less valued, less respected, less smart.
Sometimes I don’t care that others feel lesser.
Sometimes I say I love and accept all people — only to love and accept only those who most often agree with me.
Sometimes I refuse to submit to anyone other than myself.
Sometimes, even, I think that “submission” is a bad word.
Sometimes I act as if unity isn’t important.
Sometimes still, I don’t give a crud who is hurt by my expressions… (…”If it’s my conviction, then I’m going to state it for all the world to hear, daggone-it…”).
Sometimes I just love to hear myself speak.
Sometimes I act as if I care about the entire world, when my articulations allude to caring most about me.
Sometimes “I/me/my/myself” are my most frequent prepositions.
Sometimes I fail to love others well.
Sometimes I don’t care that I don’t empathize with those I don’t love well.
…
Yes, sometimes I think I’m wise as a god. But I am not.
It’s important that we remember that now.
Respectfully…
AR