Life Through the Lens: Blown around like a roly poly
Kevin Schrapel thinks about compassion towards the tumbleweeds in our community.
This post was contributed by Kevin Schrapel.
We see them all over the place.
Roly polies are blowing across paddocks, caught and stuck against fences, one day blown this way, the next day blown another way, all at the whim of an ever-changing wind.
Why?
As the soil in which the plants were rooted changes, dries and no longer nourishes the plants, they are no longer sustained, and they too become dry and find themselves at the mercy of the winds which blow across their world.
Sadly, we see increasing evidence of lives being uprooted and blown around.
We see community beliefs and standards being blown by the whims of media and unsubstantiated self-belief.
TV programs depict family break-up as the norm, to be expected.
Anger raises its head across communities.
Love becomes something to be taken rather than given.
“Me first!” becomes the standard catch-cry.
“If you don’t agree with me, you are wrong!” has become the shout drowning out reason.
Communities, families, individuals are blown against the fences of pain and destruction.
So is there something solid; some teaching; some standard for society, communities, families and individuals?
Jesus told his followers – and he wants to include you as one, if not now, then one day – to expect problems in life, but then he went on.
From John 16:33:
“I have told you all this so that you will have peace of heart and mind. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows, but cheer up, for I have overcome the world.
For more than 2000 years, communities, families, and individuals have drawn strength from these words when confronted with the winds of doubt and confusion.
So can we.
Let’s talk about it: firstly to the one who always cares for us, Jesus, then to each other, in compassionate care.
God bless.
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