Have you ever found yourself saying this? The "when" is suggested and you can add in whatever you like. For me, it's "life happened." It makes sense to be curious about the who, what, when, where, and how in our lives. It doesn't make sense to drive yourself crazy trying to figure some things out. After you have figured out a problem or challenge you still have to do something. Minding your own business is usually a choice made but is merely avoiding the issue or problem.
No one likes to feel helpless. Okay, some of the mentally ill out there do. Feeling helpless leads to depression or frustration and anxiety. So, instead of feeling stymied, take the bull by the horns and do something! We are, whether we like it or not, part of the problem or part of the solution even when we are minding our own business.
We have become a world that stands by and watches for the most part. We don't intervene because of what we perceive will result towards us. Negativity takes little effort or time to enter and command our best of intentions. We fear and that's usually all it takes for us to ignore or avoid our world. We like the flowers and sunshine but don't like the allergies or the sunburn. We like to be okay with everyone and end up standing for nothing.
Reflecting on who we are within our relationships is important. These relationships make the difference whether we do something or do nothing. There have been many times in my past when I wished people would mind their own business and stay out of mine. Afterwords I was glad they didn't listen to me. Being stubborn, like me, isn't necessary to being involved. When we do all we can to avoid the issues and people around us we become numb and unable to take action. We rationalize away whatever we need to in order to escape being a real caring individual.
A few years back there were reports of pedestrians standing by and walking by as a person in New York was being assaulted. We hear reports all the time of witnesses choosing to not be witnesses out of fear. There is little to argue with when as a result of our choice to not be involved bad things happen to good people. Perhaps you have been one of those victims who needed help but no one could "see" you. No one "would" see you.
I'm not suggesting that we act or speak foolishly. I'm not even suggesting we have to be involved all the time. What I am saying is that it's our choice that the world is in the condition it is in. It was our choice all along. We chose to close our eyes, ears and mouths for nothing but selfish reasons. Looking past someone, hearing only that which we want, and saying excuses or nothing aren't good choices. We have heard that old science law that for every action there is an equal reaction (or something like that). Do people see you as an inaction or an action?
We need only to look at Jesus' disciples to see ourselves. I relate to several of them positively and negatively. I'm probably more like Peter than I like to confess. But I'm also like John. Individuals with different backgrounds, they bring their action in different ways. John stood firm while Peter ran away and denied Jesus. Peter was brazen in his personality while John was more subdued and caring. The key element in both of their lives is that they cared enough to do what was right when they surrendered their lives to God.
God has us in this place in our life for His reasons. Minding my own business isn't one of them. We can rationalize and justify almost everything in our lives. We can argue with the ease of a good lawyer and seemingly convince others that it's better if we are not involved. In the end, what will God think about our choices? Will he see his Son in our lives? Will he see the Holy Spirit working through our actions?
I'm still not very good at doing what God wants. It's a lifetime of work for me. We need to reassess our lives from time to time. This is as good a time as any.
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