It takes all sorts to make a world, but I've got to be happy with my world.
I can't control other people and their choices; I can tut, mutter and criticise them, but I can't change them.
But I am responsible for my choices. And I choose the friendly smile, the considerate driver choice, the helpful word, the good deed done, the generous gift given.
What reward do I get? Maybe not much at all, maybe nothing. So why make those kind of choices? Well, to my mind, where I see so much exploitation, cruelty, injustice and greed, I have to make the choices I just laid out to balance out the bad stuff.
But there's more to it than that. God loves us, and places huge value on us as individuals. Making other people feel appreciated and valued is part of spreading the message to people that don't believe that God exists and that he loves them.
There's another dynamic we don't understand - the supernatural and the miraculous. God is outside of time and space (our brains can't get that - you either believe it or you don't) and deals with his creation by listening to them and answering their prayers. Sometimes that's a miracle of provision; someone doesn't have a job/money, prays to God, and gets the money they need. I stress the word need. God never said, "I will provide all that you want."
We can all criticise the greed of bankers and footballers; maybe the new revolution is a breakout of generosity.
Grace and peace,
Andy
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