“The world howls for social justice, but when it comes to social responsibility, you sometimes can’t even hear crickets chirping.” ~Dean Koontz
Isn’t it strange that the more there is a collective voice for anything in our world, the less there are individuals who are willing to step up to take care of the problem.
- People scream all the time about needing to feed those who are starving and yet they will not donate to pay for the food or volunteer their time at a food pantry or soup kitchen to help serve the hungry.
- People shout about how there are so many traffic accidents and injuries, all the while speeding regularly, going through stop signs or stop lights, and driving erratically on the highways.
- People clamor for peace in the world but will not live in peace with their family, friends, neighbors, or others.
- People plead for mercy but will not be merciful to those who ask.
I am sure that you have heard the old expression too many times in your life to even begin to count: It starts with you.
We cannot possibly hope for peace if we do not live in peace. We cannot hope for love if we are loveless. We cannot hope for mercy if we are not merciful. We cannot possibly hope — in any way, shape, or form — for the Kingdom of God to be established if we are not willing to do our part in getting it done.
When Jesus was asked to define to whom the Kingdom belonged, His response was not, “The people who follow me.” His response was “Everyone.” When Jesus commissioned His followers to continue His mission, He did not point out to four individuals: you, you, you, and you. No. He told them all that they needed to continue the mission.
There is no way that we can interpret the words of Jesus in such a manner as to leave ourselves out of the equation. Those who are called to be responsible, quite simply, are everyone. We do not get a “pass”.
FAITH ACTION: Are there any social responsibilities that you have been shirking, hoping someone else would step in and do it? Make an effort to do your part today.