I am sometimes astounded at the rate by which we are quick to blame everyone but ourselves. Sometimes, when things go wrong, all we can do is start making excuses and pointing fingers, instead of reflecting inward to see what we ourselves might have done differently, and how we ourselves may have affected the situation. In other words, look at our own faults before looking at others. “Let he who has no sin cast the first stone…”
I have been dismayed over the past few days in watching several situations develop around me, both in relationships with friends and in the public forum.
I spend a great deal of time blaming myself unnecessarily, but at the same time, when I do blame myself, I find many around me who say, “It is not your fault.” And they start to point the finger for me, saying that though I may have done something, it was someone else’s fault for starting it. That’s not right. Just because one person does something, nothing FORCES me to do anything in response. And should a response come, if it is not made in a prayerful and contemplative manner, then I can almost guarantee that my response will not be appropriate. Sometimes I and others hide behind a veil of “freedom”. It thinly veils pride. For pride’s sake, I must make a response, and when the reason for response comes from pride, I promise, it won’t be serving some greater purpose.
Pride is one of the most destructive forces in life. It destroys relationships, companies, people, churches, marriages, friendships and eventually, the world. Pride was the very first wrong in the world. Pride is what caused Lucifer to fall and Eve to take the fruit. And from it stemmed every other sin.
Far too often, I am guilty of pride. Freedom to do or say something does not mean there is no consequence to doing or saying anything I want. The simple fact is this:
With great freedom comes great responsibility.
I must be responsible in the freedom that God and, by God’s grace, our country offers me. Sometimes, the hardest thing to do is to reign in that freedom for the sake of others and ourselves. Regardless of what I have the freedom to do, I have to face the consequences of that freedom which I exercise.
In the end, treat others the way you wish to be treated and be kind. There is no reason to be otherwise.
