He Made You 543.1
As Lily Tomlin said, "No matter how cynical I get, I can’t keep up."
Our economy has been shattered by widespread corporate fraud; kids lie, steal, and cheat at unprecedented rates; and parents beat up each other or referees at youth sports events or supply alcohol to fuel organized hazing. Our confidence in the integrity of journalism, accounting, stockbrokering, sports, organized religion, and business is continually shaken by a relentless barrage of shameful behavior.
It’s tempting to throw up our hands in despair and surrender to cynicism.
It reminds me of the tale of the pious young man whose car broke down on his way to his place of worship. He had to walk through an area where homeless people huddled against buildings for warmth, alcoholics and mentally ill adults wandered the streets, and crack dealers sold drugs to kids. He was overcome with a sense of despondency and doubt about the power and intentions of God.
"God," he prayed, "how can you allow all this pain and misery and do nothing?" Receiving no answer, he became frustrated and raised his voice, "Lord, my very faith is at issue! How can you allow this suffering and do nothing?"
Then someone behind him whispered, "He didn’t do nothing. He made you."
What a profound insight and daunting responsibility it is to realize that you can be the instrument of reform. That your courage, compassion, and creativity in your own sphere of influence can set into motion a ripple effect of healing actions and attitudes to make a better world.
This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.
Comments
I would like to thank you for this piece of enlightenment. This has opened my mind and has provided me some direction toward something that I have put off for too long. There are too many times, that so many people, sit back and say, "someone should do this" or "someone should do that", when all the while, the power to make things happen is right at their fingertips
Posted by: HCG | December 10, 2007 8:25 AM
It is everyones job to help prevent the violent acts that happen in our county. Like the incident in Omaha, Neb. last Wed. We can all ban together and let the media know that, if they would not release the name of the violators--maybe we could control some of the copycats, who are crazy enough to think that is the way to be famous.
Posted by: It is everyones job! | December 10, 2007 12:39 PM
I hear your comments on radio 1070 every day. And appreciate what you have to say as a caring human being. I am 85 years old and have been DXED with MS since 1985. Is it possible to have your comments sent to my email? Sincerely, Grace Kierbel
Posted by: Grace Kierbel | December 11, 2007 12:36 AM
Dear Grace Kierbel,
Thanks for your interest. We have signed you up to receive the weekly Commentary e-newsletter. If you ever wish to unsubscribe, change your address or subscribe to our other newsletters, here is a link for that:
http://www.charactercounts.org/forms/free_e_newsletters.php
Best regards,
Steve
Josephson Institute Webmaster
Posted by: Josephson Institute Webmaster | December 11, 2007 2:00 PM
A powerful story! We sometimes lament why God allows innocents to suffer! What about us and our role in life? Surely this is God's mercy not only for the innocent and weak but also for us! Why should it not be encumbent on us to help our brother in need? If we look carefully, all religious creeds stress the importance of brotherly love and caring for the weak and less unfortunate. Those us who reflect upon the wisdom of this know that it is a mercy and a reward for us who are blessed with so much to share that bounty with others. Actually it is our duty!
Thanks for sharing this with us.
Posted by: Sherrie Saadeh | December 11, 2007 3:46 PM