Being engaged in big picture societal events/changes

[Episcopalian]

I have a tendency, when I get stressed about big picture stuff (mainly politics, coronavirus, and long term social ramifications of both), to pull back and focus solely on to my day to day work obligations, reading books, attending (virtual) weekday services, hanging with friends, etc.

It relaxes me, there’s social interaction, and there’s personal enrichment. I guess, my question is, are we called as Christians to even be engaged on these big picture things?

It feels so insurmountable to make any sort of big positive change in the world…there’s so much anger, sadness, and fear about these things. Also the Church is being sidelined in so many of these dialogues too.

 

[RolandThompsonGunner]

All politics is local. If you’re doing the best you can to live the Gospel in your day-to-day life, that’s infinitely more helpful to the world than getting in dumb arguments on Facebook (or CAF…)

 

[Irishmom2]

I have a tendency, when I get stressed about big picture stuff (mainly politics, coronavirus, and long term social ramifications of both), to pull back and focus solely on to my day to day work obligations, reading books, attending (virtual) weekday services, hanging with friends, etc.

I think this is a very healthy way of living and that more people should try it.

 

[Beryllos]

It feels so insurmountable to make any sort of big positive change in the world…

The way to change the world begins with yourself (remember the famous response attributed to Chesterton?) and then flows to the people immediately around you: family, colleagues, neighbors, community. Live and love as a Christian in every aspect of life.

Also the Church is being sidelined in so many of these dialogues too.

Be not afraid. Allow me to recommend a book that addresses both of these points: Strangers in a Strange Land: Living the Catholic Faith in a Post-Christian World, by Archbishop (Emeritus) Charles Chaput.

 

[Tis_Bearself]

I think this is a very healthy way of living and that more people should try it.

I agree.

As the old saying goes, “Be the change you want to see in the world.”

Or as Michael Jackson said, “I’m starting with the man in the mirror/ I’m asking him to change his ways…If you wanna make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make that change.”

Or there’s the story of the kid walking on the beach with his dad, who saw a lot of starfish and sea creatures washed up and dying on the shore. The dad explained they’d all been washed up there by a big storm and would probably die if they couldn’t get back to the sea. So the kid picked one up and threw it back in the sea. The dad chuckled and said, “That won’t make much of a difference” and the kid said, “It made a big difference to that one.”

If we’d all focus more on the little things we can do and stop getting so caught up with big things we can’t control, then we’d be better off.

 

[CelticWarlord]

to pull back and focus

I agree with the others who assure you that this is both healthy and desirable. Very few of us are called to be the Pope or the Billy Graham type who travel the world reaching millions of people.

are we called as Christians to even be engaged on these big picture things?

Again, very few of us have the ability or the resources. I once heard a young man lament over the fact that, while some of his friends were approaching people in the park and asking if they’d like to talk about the gospel, he was unable to be that bold. He was assured by his pastor later that everyone has different gifts and skills. Not everyone is expected to engage society as a whole on any one topic, and that the great majority of us are in supporting roles. In nature we can see herd animals with one or two dominant figures and the rest just following along. Birds are a favorite hobby of mine and I watch them at my feeders everyday. I told a story here recently of the wife of a prominent evangelist who did the same. I watch as the different vareities of them behave in very diverse ways. Sparrows congregate in large numbers and make the feeding and bathing a frenzy of communal activity. Chickadees, while they travel in bunches, feed alone among the others. Nuthatches are solitary creatures. And woodpeckers are seldom even seen in the yard if there are other birds nearby.

The point here is that each of us represents various aspects of the multitude of personality types God has gifted us with and none of us are expected to equal the strengths of others. We are certainly welcome to make the attempt if we so desire, but no one need ever feel guilt over preferring to not do so.

 

[Peeps]

I have a tendency, when I get stressed about big picture stuff (mainly politics, coronavirus, and long term social ramifications of both), to pull back and focus solely on to my day to day work obligations, reading books, attending (virtual) weekday services, hanging with friends, etc.

It relaxes me, there’s social interaction, and there’s personal enrichment. I guess, my question is, are we called as Christians to even be engaged on these big picture things?

It feels so insurmountable to make any sort of big positive change in the world…there’s so much anger, sadness, and fear about these things. Also the Church is being sidelined in so many of these dialogues too.

I think your approach is beautiful and very healthy! I wish I could be more like you! I think your approach of living a normal life as much as possible is probably very helpful to your local economy and local health and morale. Shopping for groceries, taking care of your lawn, cleaning your house, paying your bills, going to work if you are working, eating, drinking, exercising in an appropriate way for you, relaxing, and sleeping–this real life, and the more people who can keep living it, the better off we all are.

The one thing I would say to try is prayer–remember the old Sunday School phrase, “Prayer changes things.” Don’t under-estimate the power of prayer. But it doesn’t have to be hours on your knees–just whisper a quick prayer whenever you think of it. If you can be specific, great–e.g., “Dear Jesus, please take care of the people working in the hospital and help them to do their jobs well.” or “Dear God, please help the President to make wise decisions.” Or just pray general prayers–“Lord, take care of our world!”

The other thing I would suggest is to make sure to vote, especially for your local leaders. Review the campaign promises and speeches (online), and make your decisions prayerfully, and leave it in God’s Hands. If the person(s) you voted for turns out to be a rotter, well, it’s not your fault. You voted in good faith.