Why do things happen at the time they occur? Political, cultural, and economic pressures often cause an eruption from hidden, yet known pressures. The pressure builds and finally produces a head. Like a volcano that is rumbling deep. The pressure dome builds to a point that it is certain to blow.
Surrounding the pressure points are individuals who rise to the occasion, even if it is not their strong suit, nor their time to respond. We hear their names. At any other point of history, we note they may have never been known but for the crisis met at the moment.
Several ruminating thoughts this morning revolve around the continuing crisis we have as a nation. During these times, the negative seems to have risen to the top. These negatives are not just individuals but also hidden rumblings from deep within the fabric of our times.
At Such A Time As This
At such a time as this, we live and respond in critical ways to hopefully make the future a better and brighter place.
I pause to research previous “times” and read quotes from hundreds of years back. What do I find? These pressure situations are not new, and good people have stepped up to the crisis to foster change.
Edmund Burke was an Irish statesman born in Dublin on January 12, 1730. He moved to London in 1750. And served as a member of parliament between 1766 and 1794 in the House of Commons with the Whig Party. He criticized British treatment of the American colonies and was a voice often quoted by Americans. Can you recognize any of these quotes? Or, do you read these quotes and see the applicability of our times in a different light?
- The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.
- All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.
- He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper.
- Nothing turns out to be so oppressive and unjust as a feeble government.
- Good order is the foundation of all things.
- In a democracy, the majority of the citizens is capable of exercising the most cruel oppressions upon the minority.
- All government, indeed every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue, and every prudent act, is founded on compromise and barter.
- By gnawing through a dike, even a rat may drown a nation.
[I have not verified the veracity of these quotes to Burke. As with any maxim, certain thoughts are created in different languages and times, and eventually, find their way into the popular language of the day.]
Think It Through
Thinking through the past 25 years of politics. I surmise we are struggling in such a way that shows a country divided between wide spectrums. You may title the divisions by party lines, conservative or liberal, coastal or heartland, left to right with the far left and far right being way out there from the center… Or you may choose your own group of words that show how divided we are.
Everything is in turmoil, or so it seems. I find myself drawn into my shell, ready to draw my head in like a turtle. Snap! Close the gates and lock the world out.
But, as with any new stressor that arises, we must know who we are. Where we stand. Act on our belief foundation, ready to take on any comers and strive for the right to win.
Hence my thought this morning… Action triumphs words. We know this adage from another phrase, “Actions speak louder than words.” But I propose a thought this morning.
Action should triumph words. Actions speak louder than words. Words should produce action, else it's a waste of hot air! Share on XPut your money where your mouth is… Our action costs us something! Words keep spinning, and nothing gets done about it. Some believe action is destructive and aggressive. Gandhi is quoted as saying,
“In a gentle way, you can shake the world.”.
“You must be the change you wish to see in the world.”.
Both thoughts about action are words that I can appreciate. The action does not need to be destructive nor aggressive. Action begins with self. You can say the words you want all day long. If you do not become the result of these words? Then, you are no better than the opposite side of your spectrum.
Action triumphs words.
In the closing of his letter to the church of Philippi, the Apostle Paul penned these words…
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you. (Philippians 4:8-9 NKJV)
If you know anything about me, these words have been my cry for decades:
Thimk, And Do!
Let’s get our action out in front of us and do what we know our words say we must!
