Left vs. Right
On social issues, it seems to me, that neither the left nor the right are really doing anything constructive. The left accuses the right of doing nothing (which is generally true) while the right accuses the left of wasting resources doing the wrong things (which is also generally true). The reality of the matter seems to be that both ends of the spectrum recognize a problem, but neither side really knows what to do that will be helpful. Think for a moment about how many issues this (or the inverse) is true for:
The poor/homeless
The environment
Education
Foreign Affairs
Can you add to the list?
Unfortunately, I too am short on answers as to what a person can do that will work. This probably reveals my leanings, but I think individuals might be able to make wiser decisions than institutions and institutions better than governmental institutions in these kind of decisions.
I also think that most of us have presious few answers because we are so reluctant to even think about the problem, let alone think about those affected, let alone get to know those affected.
Any suggestions?
Justice
For quite some time I have been concerned about the concept of justice; not eternal justice, but temporal, earthly justice. What can I do as an individual Christian to make the world a more just place. Look at our legal system: the innocent are convicted, the guilty go free, the price of the attorney reflects who walks and who does not. But what can one person do? One answer from the book of James suggests that if you plant peace you will reap justice. I like that. I'm not sure how it works, but at least it is something I can do. Wherever I go, plant peace. Justice will grow.
I have to admit, that I'm not that good at planting peace. I'm reminded of my daily commute. Every day I take the I-610 N exit from US 59 in Houston Texas. It is, I believe, the second busiest highway interchange in the country. I always get over to the exit lane before the traffic gets too conjested and once I'm there, I'm not about to let anyone cut in front of me. Why should some careless driver cut infront of everyone who did what they were supposed to? While that may be true, it's not a very peace loving attitude. But I've come up with a better way, I think. I have discovered that very few people will try to cut in front of me if I drive close to the left side of the lane. I don't know why, but if you drive towards the right side of the lane, people are much more likely to try and cut in front of you. From now on, I'm going to drive towards the left, but I'll let everyone who tries to cut in front of me do so.
