What does a lack of shalom look like today?
We live in the most educated eras in history; a world in which slavery abolitionists Wilberforce and Martin Luther King Jr. could’ve only imagined. Yet, George Floyd’s death suggests the goalposts have simply moved.
When it comes to war, we do not engage with muskets and cavalry, but warhead-laden freighters and B-52s. As for money, we’re not as bothered about the burglar in the balaclava, but the online hacker, phisher and fraudster. And as if that wasn’t enough, no person can look at 9/11, 7/7, Syria, #metoo and BLM without feelings of anger, sorrow or confusion. While our smartphones constantly remind us of the ails of the world, the truth is that the problem is not just out there.
Growing up, my brother and I would bicker, a lot. Arguing, fighting, slamming doors and the like. The conflict would upset my mother to the point where she would land her own blows upon both of our heads (don’t tell the police, it was legal back then). I remember stealing money from my mother’s purse on one day and shouting that I hated her the next. More blows upon my head. Ironically, I love my mum dearly.
I shudder to think of all the things I did to those I hated. Even so, I think I’m a regular guy; I’m not Gandhi, nor Hitler, I’m just a ‘good’ person. Most of my clothes are charity bought, I’m an ‘NHS hero’ and I’ve dedicated decades of my life to helping young people. But I’m not special; mothers, cleaners, bankers and everyone in between have done their bit, because we see the brokenness of mankind and try to fix it. That said, another truth haunts me still.
I love justice, but I’m wearing socks from Primark.
I love the earth, but my cupboard is full of plastic bags.
I’m skeptical of corporations, but I’ve got an iPhone.
I know about sweat shops, but I love my Air Force Ones.
I still know what it feels like to harbor malice in my heart. For my mouth to spit words of venom. For my mind to wander into fantasy.
I am the problem.
The scary thing about that revelation… is that I am one of 7.8 billion. Everyone knows something is wrong. Our world is not the way it should be, and we are the guilty party.
“I know that all God’s commands are spiritual, but I’m not. Isn’t this also your experience?” Yes… It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?
Romans 7:14 & 19-20 (The Message)
I agree with Paul; I believe that a great disease has befallen mankind. It crept into our fibres many millennia ago and still rampages on to this day. It has infiltrated our banks, our governments and even mother earth herself. It has infected our relationships with others as well as ourselves. It is invisible, yet its devastation is everywhere. There is no cure and we keep throwing every resource we possess to restrain it. Philosophy professors call it the problem of evil. The Buddhists call it the three poisons.
The Bible calls it sin. We’re outside God’s place. Our actions suggest we don’t want God’s presence and it’s our choice.
Who is going to fix us?
Who is going to enter into our world, but not be tainted by it?
Who is going to make up for my shortcomings?
Who will rid us of sin?
