The media (movies, television, entertainment, internet) have too often been filled with anger, profanity, lust, perversion, killing — know what I’m talking about? Why?
Sometimes one wonders if sensationalism sells. But hasn’t all of this been a part of public life for a long time, even from biblical times? We’ve been tempted, and we’ve denied and done our own thing. We’ve been given basic guidelines for living, and we’ve developed our own priorities.
I go back to God’s gift of the Ten Commandments and recognize that even in my own life I’ve ignored God’s guidance. I’ve stretched the truth for my own convenience. I’ve stolen — if only the candy bar I “snitched” from the local general store when I was in grade school. (I was caught and punished.)
I’ve had times when I thought I could get away with something in high school and ended up in the principal’s office. I even found myself expelled from school briefly one time for some kind of mischief — nothing serious, but not the kind of thing God wants me to be or to do.
It’s not just me; it’s also politicians, doctors, lawyers, other professionals and people on the street. As TV personality Red Green has said, “We’re all in this together.”
But our God is patient and never gave up on me, despite what shortcomings I might have had (or still might have, if the truth be known).
But then, I am an old man, and I’ve seen a world of change. Values have changed. Morals have changed. Politics has changed. Life priorities have changed. My eldest son was right in a lot of ways when he told me one time, “But Dad, it’s a different world. You come from a different time and age.”
Values have changed, and not always for the better. Do we worship sports figures and entertainment personalities and ignore God? Or try to cover our thoughts and actions by professing our faith on Sunday and living a different life the rest of the time? Or do we just relish a hedonistic way of life and not think of tomorrow’s consequences?
A lot of life values changed in the 1950s. Music used to be sentimental, or funny, or melodic, not just loud and without a message. There were no R-rated movies with sex, profanity, or violence at their core.
“How boring,” you may say. But what in today’s world suggests peace, coexistence, compassion and, yes, a true love of our country and God’s way of living?
Forgive me, Lord — I may spend time reflecting on the past, but I also treasure the opportunity to at least try my very best to make my corner of the world a better place for the sake of those who follow me down the road.
Bruce Mitchell is a retired United Methodist pastor living in Greenfield. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
