Until Further Notice – Be Responsible
“I try to lead by example, being conscious of others and being responsible.”
Angelina Jolie
Some people think and say “You better look out for yourself, because nobody else will.”
Do you believe this?
One of the things that has greatly concerned me about our society throughout this whole COVID-19 crisis is the run on toilet paper. I know it sounds minor to some, but think about it for a minute. Many households in our communities and in our country are filled with far more rolls of toilet paper than they will use anytime soon while some people cannot find toilet paper for their homes.
Obviously, being responsible during COVID-19 if more than controlling your purchase of toilet paper. It means following the CDC guidelines (washing your hands, wearing a cloth mask in public, social distancing, etc.). It means checking in on your neighbors. It may mean ordering takeout from your favorite local restaurant. The toilet paper thing just got under my skin.
The hoarding, the all-out self-focus, and the failure to think of others has me concerned. Some people may disagree with me, but I believe capitalism can be a good thing when it comes from a position of responsibility; however, the hoarding, self-focus possibility that comes with capitalism is not a good thing especially if it keeps necessities out of the hands of those who can’t get to the grocery store for one reason or the other.
When I think about trying to be responsible, I think about words I often pray, “Lord, help me represent You well in my home, in my career, and in my community. Help me be a good steward of the resources You have given to me.” We have a responsibility to look after others – not just ourselves.
This is a crucial time for our generation. Will people look at this period of our history as a time when people took responsibility and made the world a better place? Or will people look at this period of our history as the end of “love your neighbor.”
It’s important for each of us to think about what it means to be responsible – especially in times of crisis. Is it possible to take care of others while taking care of ourselves?
Until further notice, be responsible.
Prayer: Help me be responsible. Help me represent You well in my home, in my career, and in my community. Help me be a good steward of the resources You have given to me.
Ponder & Discuss: What does responsibility mean to you? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.
“If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right.”
James 2:8 (NI