“What is Wrong With the World Today? – I Am”

The story is told of a newspaper contest, about a hundred years ago, to write an essay best answering the question, “What is wrong with the world today?” G.K. Chesterton, a well-known writer and commentator, sent in his response. It simply said, “I am.” If that contest were held today, and you considered submitting an essay, what would your answer be?

I could list a whole lot of things that are wrong with the world today – so could you, and my long list might be a lot different than your long list – but I want my answer to be, “I am.” I want to be convicted, yet again, that I may be part of the problem when I could be part of the solution.

Admitting that I am part of the problem is the first step of repentance, a hugely important part of the Christian faith. Repentance is not beating up yourself; it is not shame, a constant sense that you can never be enough. No, repentance means, literally, a turning around – a turning from a certain set of choices, thoughts, and actions, and turning toward a different set. It is exactly what the prodigal son in Luke 15 does. Jesus says that the son came to his senses, and in that instant, he turned from the self-destructive lifestyle he was living and turned toward home, where his loving, patient father waited.

One of our company’s core values is: We will own the results of our work. We will admit when our work does not meet the standard that we have committed to and that our customers expect. My expectation is that we own it – no excuses (a sure indicator that an excuse is coming is when we use the conjunction “but” – “I didn’t follow through on my commitment, but I was only following directions”; “I am really sorry to let you down, but I didn’t know how you really felt.”). We respect others when we are honest, without minimization or excuse.

Admitting is the first step of repentance – I then must do something about it. “Owning” that we are not performing up to our customer’s expectation will only last so long – continued poor performance will lead to a loss of the business. So, the next two steps in the repentance process are committing to change, and then taking steps in response to that commitment.

As a Christian in a world that is really wrong, today, here is what I can repent of – I have not taken seriously God’s instruction in Micah 6:8: “What does the LORD require of you, but to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with your God?” I admit that I have not taken advantage of the opportunity to pursue justice in our day; I do not love others (“mercy” in this verse is the steadfast, patient, complete love of God) as Jesus did, and when I am sure of my position, achievement and moral discipline I am not walking humbly with the God I serve (no “buts”; no excuses – just admitting).

We hear a lot these days about “systemic” racism. “Systemic” is an all-encompassing word, but it seems to me that any systemic behavior is the institutionalized behavior of individuals like you and me. Solving a systemic problem seems overwhelming to me. But I can “do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with my God” exactly where God has put me.

I am a husband, father, grandfather and friend – in what relationships am I judging someone, not working to understand their situation? Who can I love better, moving from judgment and resentment to forgiveness, for example? And what relationship do I worry about, or try to fix, instead of humbly trusting that person to God?

I am an employer and leader – do I demonstrate justice in how I lead, communicating clear expectations, providing timely feedback, and setting up each individual to succeed? Do I model compassion by listening to understand (not just because I have to) and then responding, when possible, with clear steps that are helpful? Can I be humble enough to model transparency and honesty?

I am a member of society – can I admit that I live in a kind of bubble, where justice for me is relatively accessible? Can I take a chance and get out of my comfort zone (out of the bubble) and expand my opportunities to demonstrate compassion to people I have not met yet? And can I trust God that He indeed can change hearts? (An indication that I trust Him more is when my anger, fear and resentment begin to lessen).

I cannot make systemic changes – but I can change. I can grow; I can be a little more like Jesus, today. And that is what God requires of me (and which gives Him great joy). I may be what’s wrong with the world today, but I also can take steps to be what’s right with the world today.

Finally, I can pray – for myself, for those I love, and for this nation and world. May this quote of Saint Augustine help: