For all the venom that the modern-day press and “pundits” pour forth upon religion, it sure seems to have well diagnosed the root cause of so many of the ills of society. For example, I read this week in Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray, every one hath turned aside into his own way.”
This turning into our “own way” of which the prophet speaks is nothing more than the simple notion of selfishness. So flash forward from the 8th century B.C. to today and what do we find? A world virtually devoid of sacrifice and selflessness, but rather consumed with envy, hatred, selfishness and destruction. It seems to keep getting worse and worse and worse. Not to be outdone, even American football players, those poor, underprivileged multi-millionaires, are claiming unfair treatment!
Truly it is the “logic” of selfishness. If “what I want” is the guiding principle of existence and if “what I want” is as many of the material goods of the world as I can commandeer, then it only stands to reason that anyone who gets in the way of my acquisitions is an enemy. The theory that this modern, secular world is progressing to an ever more mature and humane society is false. Far from advancing towards graduation, we have regressed to a kindergarten existence with “MINE” the omnipresent battle cry.
We are all infected with it. But the road to recovery can start with as simple a step as giving something up. Better yet, give something away…with love. And for the greatest such gift in history, I suggest that you read the balance of Isaiah chapter 53 for “Surely He hath borne our infirmities and carried our sorrows.”
Have a Happy Easter!