I wonder what all the protesting will
accomplish for the good of our country.
I get that people are probably fearful
that their voice will get lost in the cacophony of voices in the market and
politics and social media, fearful that
their particular point of view will lose ground. I feel that too. I get that these gatherings can help to
garner solidarity for a cause.
But with each protest it feels like our
divisions just seem to grow deeper and stronger. It seems rooted more and more in the fight
for our individual rights, the freedom to act in accordance with our moral
convictions, the freedom of speech, and all the rest. That has its place, but how
does that fit in with accomplishing what is good for the whole?
There are aspects of protesting that can
be demeaning or demoralizing to others that don’t see things the same way. I
wonder, really, can protesting make a deep impact on some of the difficult
challenges in our day such as generational poverty and all the disenfranchised
people on the edges who are feeling lost and hopeless? And the
growing prevalence of chronic illness and dementia?
The older I get, the less energy I have to
devote to multiple causes or interests. All the media’s attention on the protests
feels draining to me. What seems wise for
me at this point in my life is to be increasingly targeted in how I choose to expend
my resources, time and energy.
For now, I will continue doing what I’ve
been doing, working behind the scenes at The City Mission, an organization that
restores hope and purpose and meaning to men, women and children who’ve been
through circumstances that have left them defeated and hopeless and
aimless. In that way, I let my voice be
heard, albeit in some small way. My
voice joins with many others as we work together to accomplish our mission.
It doesn’t get much media attention. But
it makes a heap of difference to those whose lives are transformed. They are finding relief from the years of
suffering with untreated mental illness. For the first time in their lives they
are learning to live in the reality that God has good plans for them to live
with purpose and meaning. They are
experiencing an infusion of hope that God is redeeming their brokenness in ways
beyond their comprehension. They are
finding strength and courage to speak life into their children and families.
Indeed, there are many worthy causes but for me it doesn’t get much better than
seeing the redemption and restoration of broken people.
