Three Keys to Survival
By Joe Rector
Well, another birthday has come and gone, and life is back to normal. The rain has made the month of May a soppy time, and most of us are doing our best to stay ahead of the growing grass. For the most part, I’ve had plenty of time to sit on the screened porch or in the basement, where I watch YouTube or take risks to make things without cutting off another finger.
If a person were to visit our country for the first time, he would be struck by how plentiful things are. He’d also detect an uneasiness among the population. For the last few years, the greatest country in the world has struggled to find its footing and determine its mission. Factions argue and battle others; most of the time, the disagreements occur in dialogue. Only a small fraction of folks has resorted to the use of weapons to settle arguments. For that, we can be thankful.
Sometimes, actually, most of the time, I’m slow to pick up things. My study of modern American society had uncovered several truths. While they aren’t earthshaking revelations, these things have cleared up many points for me.
We are a divided nation. The divisions include breaks between political parties, religious sects, and races. Other chasms exist, but they are for another day’s discussion. Right here are enough to ponder for days.
The most obvious divide is the one between political parties. For years, elected representatives were able to hold different points of view. They battled for their respective sides of the argument, but when the day was over, members of both parties became friends once again. They were able to break bread and share amenable conversations.
These days, speaking to a member of the other party leads to questions about loyalty to party and its agenda. The line can’t be crossed; the other side is the enemy. Compromise is out of the question.
For years, religion has fueled a steady distrust. Conservatives don’t associate with more liberal groups. One side declares that the other is bound for hell because its beliefs are so much against God. The fact is that those beliefs are against the group itself, not against the good lord. Most religious sects are intent on worshipping God, the entity that guides, guards, and directs us. We have different interpretations of what God’s words say, but that should never cause us to break the very commandments that God has given. The heart is the place where a person’s true connection with a Creator exists. We have no right to judge whether an individual’s beliefs are right or wrong. Fighting among all faiths is the antithesis of God’s plan.
As for race, it’s become clear to me that our quarrels aren’t about skin color. Instead, our battles arise over disputes about cultures. We expect others to act like us, hold in esteem the same things, and abide by the same rules. When folks from other countries or races don’t accept our rules for acceptable behavior, we get riled up. “How dare those people refuse to follow our lead,” we complain.
I’m not sure if our great country can survive the changes that are coming in these areas. Yes, it is true that for the U.S.A. to remain
a great country, those who come to our land need to learn the language and accept the rules of the culture. They can stir in bits of their former culture to make the lifeblood of this nation richer.
We must set aside the hateful thoughts and actions that exist today. Only through give and take can we possibly survive in this world. Loving and accepting hearts will give us the ingredients for continued success. Otherwise, we will be another great country that lies buried in the dust of history.
