I continue to be amazed at the behavior in Washington DC of the 'Christian-values' members of Congress and how some still try to convince me we're a Christian nation. Compassion, love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (the fruits of the Spirit to be displayed by followers of Christ) are in short supply in the federal government. I don't even mean in the policies they're promoting, I mean in their everyday interactions with each other. What we see is plenty of hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy which are just some of the things not meant to be practiced by those who hope to "inherit the kingdom of God." (See Galatians chapter 5.) One might presume such deplorable behavior also wouldn't be part of a 'shining city upon a hill' which is the United States' alleged calling card. Christian nation, indeed.
Whatever happens in Washington DC – or doesn't happen – we would do well to recognize that local solutions can help turn our country from the path it's on. We can abandon the example we're seeing in Washington and make our own way forward. Communities working together is ultimately our best and greatest hope.
The second chapter of the book of Acts gives an outline of how this looked in the early Church. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (verses 44-46)
What could this kind of community living look like today? Simple steps can get us going in the right direction. “Shopping local,” supporting locally owned businesses could play an integral part. Online shopping via the Internet is convenient, but it's helping to wreck local economies. We need to spend our money where it can be kept circulating in the area economy, providing income for local business owners and their employees. Growing our own food or knowing our growers is another important part of living in community and growing our own businesses, too, creating jobs, manufacturing the things we need and want within the local region when possible. Forming co-ops for farmers and artisans, bartering, sharing and connecting with our neighbors are all just the beginning of how day-to-day living could be improved.
We've been led to believe it's impossible for communities to be more self-sufficient, but not so many years ago that's how we all lived. Local choices exist, more need to be created and those choices are crucial. Local solutions are also about all of us taking responsibility and helping to care for those in need in our own communities while contributing time and resources to build strong families along with more education and job opportunities. Other things to concentrate can include apprenticeships, child-care co-ops, mentoring young people so they can break free from generational cycles of poverty, and much more.
The future of our country is worth working for, but we must face the struggle with respect for others, integrity and a sense of responsibility for doing what is right. Because in the midst of the fight, we must not lose the heart and soul of what made our nation great and how Jesus called us to live. Our so-called leaders need to see a citizenry being civil to one another and working together in spite of differences.
Want to see change? It's time for us to be that change. It's how we can get through these rough times with hope for good things ahead. Have courage. Be kind to others but also question authority and hold those in power accountable for their actions. Just because I believe it's up to individuals to improve their own communities, it doesn't mean I'm ready to let Congress off the hook. They should be ashamed for their behavior, and we should demand better.
Whatever happens in Washington DC – or doesn't happen – we would do well to recognize that local solutions can help turn our country from the path it's on. We can abandon the example we're seeing in Washington and make our own way forward. Communities working together is ultimately our best and greatest hope.
The second chapter of the book of Acts gives an outline of how this looked in the early Church. “All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts.” (verses 44-46)
What could this kind of community living look like today? Simple steps can get us going in the right direction. “Shopping local,” supporting locally owned businesses could play an integral part. Online shopping via the Internet is convenient, but it's helping to wreck local economies. We need to spend our money where it can be kept circulating in the area economy, providing income for local business owners and their employees. Growing our own food or knowing our growers is another important part of living in community and growing our own businesses, too, creating jobs, manufacturing the things we need and want within the local region when possible. Forming co-ops for farmers and artisans, bartering, sharing and connecting with our neighbors are all just the beginning of how day-to-day living could be improved.
We've been led to believe it's impossible for communities to be more self-sufficient, but not so many years ago that's how we all lived. Local choices exist, more need to be created and those choices are crucial. Local solutions are also about all of us taking responsibility and helping to care for those in need in our own communities while contributing time and resources to build strong families along with more education and job opportunities. Other things to concentrate can include apprenticeships, child-care co-ops, mentoring young people so they can break free from generational cycles of poverty, and much more.
The future of our country is worth working for, but we must face the struggle with respect for others, integrity and a sense of responsibility for doing what is right. Because in the midst of the fight, we must not lose the heart and soul of what made our nation great and how Jesus called us to live. Our so-called leaders need to see a citizenry being civil to one another and working together in spite of differences.
Want to see change? It's time for us to be that change. It's how we can get through these rough times with hope for good things ahead. Have courage. Be kind to others but also question authority and hold those in power accountable for their actions. Just because I believe it's up to individuals to improve their own communities, it doesn't mean I'm ready to let Congress off the hook. They should be ashamed for their behavior, and we should demand better.
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