FIXING BLAME OR FIXING WHAT'S BROKEN

FIXING BLAME OR FIXING WHAT'S BROKEN; TAKING RESPONSIBILITY

(Michael W. Niva)

blame/(verb) to hold responsible, find fault with, censure, place responsibility for a fault or error, to blast or damn

(noun) an act of attributing fault, censure, reproof, responsibility for anything deserving of censure

responsibility/the state or fact of being responsible, an instance of being responsible, a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible, a person or thing for which one is responsible, reliability or dependability

TWO WORDS; TWO LIFESTYLES

Today, I lay before you two distinctly different lifestyle options:

1.) a life of blaming others and holding them responsible for the world's ills

2.) a life of becoming responsible, reliable and dependable in shouldering responsibility for ourselves and others

We don't have to look far to find something broken or rapidly breaking down in our world today. The recent massive oil spil in the Gulf of Mexico is one major news story among many this month that serves to point to a world continuously being negatively affected by irresponsible and short-sighted actions. Frequently, these actions are fueled simply by human greed and avarice.

The quickest knee-jerk reponse that we all tend to make toward any catastrophe, large or small, is to arrive at a conclusion (well-informed or not) as to whose fault it is or was. Who is to blame? In other words, most of us are quite quick to assess situations and affix culpability to the person or persons whom we feel are at fault. This is one response, usually the quickest, easiest and least costly response on a personal level.

ANOTHER VIEW

The long-term response, the more costly lifestyle choice, is one of assessing problems and ascertaining what, if any responsibility I can personally take in alleviating the pain or consequences inherent to the situation. Granted, at times, fixing blame, holding others responsible in an accountable way, is our responsibility. This is how at least some of us best serve the world, in changing things by helping to "bring people to justice." Many times, however, this journey to justice for others is simply far outside the scope of our personal power, ability, position and control.

TAKING IT AND MAKING IT PERSONAL

Taking personal responsibility, if only in some small measure, is almost always an option. Let's take the current oil spill in the Gulf as a case in point. We are all dependent upon fossil fuels as an energy source to greater or lesser extents. Therefore, we are all in some way partly responsible for the mess that has been created. We have been collectively short-sighted, perhaps not for profit, but at least for personal ease and convenience. Because of this shared responsibility, if we are honest, we also should share in doing what we can do in order to assist the clean up efforts in the south, but beyond this, we can and should examine our lifestyles as well, aiming at a more creative and less destrucitve way of exisiting as citizens on planet Earth. This is just one current, prominent example among many.

WHERE SHOULD PEOPLE OF FAITH STAND?

As Christians, or people of faith in the world, it behooves us to ask which of the above two positions should define our lives. Should we live a life primarily spent scrutinizing problems and pinning the blame on someone or some people group, or should we devote ourselves instead to lives of taking responsibility not only for ourselves, but also for people and situations around us. Which do you think is the solidly Christ-like response? What does the Bible say about placing blame versus taking responsibility? As a popular bracelet queries; "What would Jesus do?"

THE SACRED TEXTS - BLAME AND RESPONSIBILITY

In Genesis 1:26-28, it is abundantly clear that the Father's original intention was that His image and likeness would fill the earth through the expansion of Adam and Eve's family from Eden, stretching ever outward. The fact that the river which had its source in the Garden of Eden then parted into four separate rivers flowing away from the Garden, is a clear indication that God's influence, grace and responsibility for the planet was to extend to the east, west, north and south. In addition, Genesis 2:15 tells us that Adam's job or task was to "tend and to keep" the Garden; in essence to be responsible for keeping it in the condition in which it was created, that condition that the Father blessed and declared to be "very good."

Abraham's blessing by God in Genesis 12, where he is promised to become the father of many nations, also includes the clear mandate to be a blessing because he would be blessed. This blessing would permeate the whole Earth, bringing its liberation and empowerment to "all the families of the earth."

Moses, as a leader, had the distinct and difficult task and privilege of leading God's people out of Egyptian bondage and into the freedom of the Promised Land, a place which was to flow with milk and honey. He continued to be willing, though highly frustrated at times and was able to bring Israel right up to the Jordan, the very boundary of their inheritance. At this point, his protege Joshua is handed the baton and reflects the same willingness to become reponsible for the military conquests which would be necessary on the far side of the Jordan River.

WHAT WOULD JESUS DO? WHAT DID JESUS DO?

Jesus Christ's life provides the most clearly iconic representation of one who took responsibility for the lives of others. How far was He willing to go in taking responsibility rather than wasting His precious and short life fixing blame?

(Isaiah 53:4-6) "Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the Lord has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

Who is clearly to blame for the ills of mankind in the above passage? Quite clearly, we all are. Who took responsibility rather than to affix blame? Quite clearly, Jesus did. Do you follow Him, follow His example? Are you more concerned with who is at fault or how you can aid and abet heaven in the restoration of Earth?

Jesus said, "Follow Me and I will make you fishers of men." Where are you headed? Are you travelling in the same direction as Jesus in our generation? Are you on a crusade to find the culprits, seeing to it that they get what they deserve, or are you on a mission to set the captive culprits free, taking some personal responsibility for their liberation? What would Jesus do? I think we all know the answer to that. What will we do? That is another question.