I fear the foundations of civilization may truly be crumbling.
As if the antics of Justin Bieber, Vladimir Putin, and the performers on the Grammy Awards show weren’t proof enough, I recently encountered more up-close evidence of “de-civilization” right along the country road fronting our property: litter. Lots and lots of litter.
A few weeks ago, I decided it was time clean up the roadside before weeds start growing and the snakes wake up. (If the snakes are already awake, please don’t tell me.) I ended up with two bags of nasty garbage and a whole lot of indignation over people who apparently think it’s okay to junk up the countryside with their carryout plates and beer cans.
I believe if I ever catch one of these trash-flingers in the act, I might deliver a “citizen’s arrest” tirade worthy of Deputy Barney Fife himself.
As I lugged my Hefty bags up and down the road, I drew plenty of stares from passing motorists who probably wondered why I didn’t have prison stripes on my pants.
I grumbled and snorted and channeled my frustration into the creation of a profile of the typical litterer, based on the crud I was picking up. (I may or may not be watching too many TV crime dramas.) He or she, I deduced, smokes Marlboros, loves fast food, and guzzles a whole lot of beer, convenience-store coffee and soft drinks.
One of the perps who trashed up our property might also be wearing a work boot on one foot and a flip-flop on the other. I know this because I discovered a right boot and a left flip-flop along the road.
Armed with my profile, I’m now on the lookout for my litterer, and he or she better watch out because I am ticked off.
Even back when I was spiritually lost as a goose and breaking some of the Ten Commandments on a pretty regular basis, I thought that junking up the landscape was just plain wrong.
My level of indignation over this particular offense actually kind of surprises me … especially right this moment as it now occurs to me how much invisible “garbage” I’ve sometimes carelessly strewn about in my life. I may not intentionally throw cans, bottles, plates, shoes or paper on the ground, but what about “garbage” like actions, reactions, words, thoughts and motives that displease God and dishonor other people?
How often have I littered up my relational landscape with rubbish from my sinful heart just because I didn’t deal with disappointments, frustrations, fears or pain the right way?
Too often.
The truth is, if I don’t process the hard things of life in prayer and purposefully choose to see them in the light of God’s truth, garbage is bound to fly from my heart and I will no doubt junk up my life and the lives of those close to me.
Our actions and reactions always affect others. Just as surely as a beer can carelessly tossed out a car window messes up the scenery along a country road, a careless word or deed can surely mess up a life.
No one else should have to pick up my emotional litter—not when Jesus graciously offers to take it. My part is to give it to Him before someone else has to deal with it.
The next time I begin to rant about folks tossing trash onto my land, I should recall the words of Jesus: “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” (Luke 6:41)
If I’m concerned about shoring up the foundations of civilization, maybe I should start with my own heart.