I understand the good urge. The urge to do good, charity, and so forth. I also advocate boundaries…meaning that if one were to overly impose a goodwilled action, it may not actually effect good, per se. Like the parable of no pearls before swine. Nor necessarily is a martydom ‘save the world’ complex either too helpful I found. Even in prayer, fasting, and so forth… I found in my faith life, that truly keeping the work of God to God, versus getting overly involved in any matter I care about.
I know that might sound detached, arms length, and ‘standing by while bad things are happening’…however, the control I have over my speech, my actions, in the face of clearly unfortunate dynamics is where I find my best impact may ensue. For instance, I care about poverty, imprisoned peoples… yet, I allow my tithing to be entrusted through the outreach of the Catholic church… why?
Well, first, guilt by association is a real thing. I used to help directly by either giving money, or directing a person in need to resources… however, that can give rise to suspicion of my person. Therefore, I learned to be careful, so as not to inadvertantly get dragged down into the misperceptions of others. That’s a hard fact of life, I know. I don’t like it. But I care, I just taper the way I show that care
