I’ve decided that the one word which best describes modern life is inconsiderate. People are not rude. Rudeness implies intention. Rudeness reflects lack of upbringing or refinement.
No, people just don’t think. Well, that’s not true, they think a lot about themselves. What’s in it for me? How does the affect me? But they don’t think about anyone else.
They don’t think about the consequences their actions may have on others. They may not even be aware that others exist. They don’t think about the consequences their lack of actions may have on others. The sins of omission.
They are the center of their universe. They fritter away and Twitter away their lives with egocentric thoughts of: “I am having a steak dinner;” “I am enjoying the new U2 album;” “I am getting a new Kia next week;” “I am joining the church basketball team this fall;” “I am hosting a small group this week;” “I feel I am becoming much more spiritual.”
Yeah. The last one. Don’t think so. Yes it’s true, even Christians can be rather self centered. It’s all I, I, I, I, I, I, I.
Questions:
- Will this affect someone else?
- Will this disturb or annoy someone else?
- Will this deny someone else this space; this resource; this peace?
- Will this inconvenience someone else?
- Will this disappoint or hurt someone else?
- Will this cause someone else to fall?
- Will this me-thing take time that should be spent on someone else?
- Will this take money that ought to be given to someone else?
- Will this distract me from my God-purpose?
- Will this decision form a pattern leading to even more self-centered decisions?
