We are a prideful people. We take pride in some of the strangest things and in the strangest ways. We take pride in our wealth, only to find out that it's truly happenstance when we lose a job or some other horror befalls us. We take pride in our health only to find out that it can be removed in an instance. We take pride in our privileged, not acknowledging that we were placed where we were by God. We take pride in so many things that amount to squat, not giving a moment’s thought to how it's perceived in the eyes of others. With that pride in things brings prejudice against others who may have more or less. Prejudice against examples of humanity that may be different in ways that they had no control over. Pride that we are different.
My sister and I commented on the fact of instantaneous communication. I remember every science fiction movie from my youth had a videophone in it that provided working voice and picture. It was even presented to the government as the ultimate way of communication. It's possible that someone was dreaming even then about Twitter and YouTube but the reality is even more amazing than the prediction. It amazed me last week to be texting with our little family group that had us in 6 different locations including Bulgaria. I can get unedited news and video feeds from a million locations at any and all times. I take no pride in that it's just facts.
Instantaneous communication may bring about our downfall. As horrible as pride and prejudice are together not having a filter on our thoughts and lives is worse. The author of the book of James compares the tongue to a small rudder that can make great ship turn around. We can see and comment on things without thinking and all our prejudice forms the thoughts that others see. Our instant thoughts have taken the place of public discourse to the detriment of civility. We can comment on things going on across the world without concern of retribution and bask in our anonymity. It hasn't helped society.
I like to keep current and write about events but with the pull of living it's hard for me to pay attention, much less form coherent thoughts. My AIINNA disorder (Advanced Inattention I Need a Nap Disorder) keeps pulling me away from things long enough for them to form and I sometimes have commented on things without really thinking them through or trying to put myself in others shoes. Even worse not showing love in everything that I say. I'm sure you've read or heard the bible verse about fresh and salt water coming out of the same spring?
A lack of pride and/or prejudice takes practice. I must be practiced to the extent of denying one’s self company of those who don't. Disassociation is a great tool for keeping ones heart and mind clear. It might even mean staying off the internet. Teaching through word and deed is good if the pride can be kept out of it. It's tough though because you know that thinking that you have one thing beat down just gives room for another to grow. The complete lack of civility in today's world can be attributed to focus on self and not God, for whom that lack of pride or prejudice brought Him to earth to free us from such things. Until next week. ags
I apologize for the jumble that was my poem last week. I had sent it as I wrote it, in free form, and it didn't translate real well. It may not have anyway. I had written it and posted on Facebook but sent it with a couple of paragraphs to the Tribune but all the email didn't go through and it was too late to resend.
I love ya'll. Alan.
