As necessary as it is to immediately remove the current American regime, it would still be only a step in the much bigger need for deeper change.
The current regime is the manifestation of a global culture that has become possessed by superficial materialism; all of us striving to get more and discovering it is not enough, that it is just empty, fading material with no soul. Changing that is much more difficult and uncomfortable than just “voting them out.” The deeper change is not only unpopular but requires every individual to choose against many of their bedrock assumptions and ways of life. This is why the change is slow, even if initiated by dramatic epiphanies and catharses of repentance.
What in this culture satisfies and fulfills us?
If we force ourselves to take account of our lives, as mental health counselors often advise should be a regular practice, we will probably acknowledge many indulgences that are mentally, physically, or socially destructive. Things our culture condones, encourages, or requires. Things we are capable of stopping, and hence experiencing improved life, even improved world. The list of these negative things is too long and depressing to enumerate here, but they multiply in our minds with ease, not just bad habits but also self-centered viewpoints.
In mistaken variations of the concepts of “freedom” and “individualism” some have not been taught
or have refused to learn
what is good.
Some are exalting evil as good.
This is why the intangible influence for
truth,
humility,
forgiveness,
morality,
responsibility,
kindness,
patience,
peace,
self-control,
respect,
compassion,
love,
… and the long list of good you should be able to add here, are so important.
“But We Need to Relax”
We try. We keep up the good behavior but then we want a break because it is no longer coming from a desire of the heart; it’s just following rules. “Being good” gets in the way of advancing in society. So, we indulge ourselves. “What could it hurt?” “It helps me accomplish ‘the good.'” That easily becomes a mini vacation which we find enjoyable. So, we incorporate it into our routine. It becomes an assumption of life and if anyone should oppose it, we defend it (sometimes violently) as our God-given culture. Usually, the god is money. “Quit trying to regulate me!” “I deserve my profit and acquisitions.” “I deserve my freedom!”
Accumulated Indulgences
We need revivals of the heart to renew goodness that we know could save us from being destroyed by accumulated indulgences. Often societies have put off such revivals and crowded out goodness so long they have experienced extreme states of degradation. It becomes obvious that things have gone too far but they cannot reverse the downward spiral. This is what we call “learning from our mistakes”, and the recoveries have taken painful centuries in the gutter. Empires have disappeared.
On the current scale of technology and wealth this scenario has become a global existential threat. It is plausible that there may be no recovery this time unless we experience some intervention soon.
Revival or Violence
The revival of goodness must come voluntarily in the heart of each individual. I believe that every human wants to be good. If I choose to challenge my “comfort zone” and actually do good, someone else will too. As more of us join in, we can counteract the downward spiral by taking initiative to do good, and then do more good, and then do more good than we thought we could because so many have joined in. It would be a growing global coalition of intentional Good — good talk, good actions.
Theoretical physicist David Bohm suggested “that an intense heightening of individuals who have shaken off the ‘pollution of the ages’ (worldviews that propagate ignorance), who come into close and trusting relationship with one another, can begin to generate the immense power needed to ignite the whole consciousness of the world.”
(The Not-Yet God, Ilia Delio, p. 21)
We can implement the above list of good and encourage our circle of influence to live that way. Good is relational between you and me, us and others, a new society based on interactive Good. Applied patiently rather than by violent revolution, this way avoids laying yet another foundation of blood and animosity that will smolder until another breakdown of society.
So, may the Will for Good draw each of us out of the prison of ignorance and self-indulgence to participate in the Newness being created.
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