Bill Greener: Flawed or Blessed?

There have already been multiple columns in this space attempting to find the best way to describe the deep divide that I contend exists today in the United States, one that serves to define the fundamental difference in how Americans view themselves and our country. After much thought, it occurs to me that my approach to the topic may have overlooked the most basic difference in outlooks.

It is true that, for the most part, progressives and elitists think of the U.S. as a nation flawed from the outset. We took land from Native Americans, enslaved Africans, denied women the right to vote, and imposed our will throughout the world. On the other hand, many of the rest of us believe the country, while never perfect, has been a beacon of light, freedom, and a standard of living most of the rest of the world can only dream about. The first group sees the challenge as atoning for our previous sins as we move toward their dream of a more diverse society that divides its bounty in an equitable manner. The second group, while sharing the view that those in need deserve attention and support, is of the mind that the individual should be primarily responsible for their own well-being.

Where Americans Want the Country to Go

Another way of examining the situation would be to focus on where Americans want the country to go. As a whole, we will either become more like California, Illinois, and New York or more like Florida, Montana, and Texas. Resisting the temptation to insist only an insane person would take the first option, reality requires that I accept that many, perhaps a majority, want that sort of America.

An Endured Experience or a Blessing to Celebrate?

So, just what have I determined to be a superior way to look at things? It really is very simple. At the end of the day, what is life itself? Is it an experience to be endured, or is it the gift and blessing from the Almighty to be celebrated and enjoyed? Can you smile and laugh regularly without it being taken as an indication of indifference (or worse) to the suffering of others? All in all, is the world a good place or a bad place?

Obviously, my strong preference is for celebrating and enjoying life. In fact, I would argue that by having a positive outlook on things, a person is better equipped to deal with hardships in their own life and the world at large. In addition, my contention is that those who are unable to see the good in the world and their fellow man are not the best people to entrust to identify the problems confronting their own lives and those of others.

The Negative Nancys of our universe seemed determined to make everyone as miserable as they are and to demand we all refrain from happiness until each and every person on the face of the earth shares (equally, most of them would argue) in its riches and resources.

For me, this begs a simple question. Just when, in the history of mankind, has there ever been a time when those focused on suffering and misery would point towards and tell the rest of us “this is how things should be?” Seemingly, it would require a fair amount of hubris to claim anyone or any group finally has the solution to things with their opinions on what we should be doing politically and on matters of public policy.

Reframing the Conversation

As a Christian, my thesis has changed over the years. I remain committed to the concept that how one views our country and the world from the outset frames how they process their lives. Yet, there is that larger question. Do you start the conversation from a positive or negative vantage point?

Maybe there is a weird sort of middle ground to be found. Left to our own devices, mankind will continue to struggle and argue about the proper political-public policy approach for addressing and solving our problems. Fortunately, that is not our only option. We can turn our hearts and minds to a loving God, confident in His plan, and praying to be guided in directions good for us and the entire world. We can have confidence and belief that we are not in this thing alone, because we are not.

Counting Our Blessings

Every time we are tempted to let the world around us erode our faith and trust in God, let’s all of us take five minutes to count our blessings and those He has provided to all. The sun rising over a mountain. The smile of a grandchild. The joy shared at Christmas. These are all blessings, deserving to be seen as such. One other side note. In the United States, those who attend church at least twice a month live an average of about eight years longer than those who do not. Among Blacks, that number is 14 years! It may not be cause and effect, but the correlation should be hard to overlook or dismiss.

Common Sense: One of my favorite ministers used to quote her grandfather (also a Presbyterian minister). He said: “Every new birth is God’s verdict that mankind is worth saving.” I say we cannot fix much by ourselves. Best, we do not even have to try. Plus, smiles and laughter are in order. We know who we are because we know whose we are. Blessings.