we were watching “x-men: days of future past” sometime back with my mum and brother. when we came out, b was so frustrated because during the show, mum kept asking him who the bad guys were. having lived in the era of movies where the good and bad guys were usually very distinct (or good turned bad, bad turned good whatever), it was difficult for her to comprehend that there were, in fact, no bad guys (again this depends on the definition of a bad person).
usually i don’t pay much attention to the underlying intentions of each character (JUST ENJOY THE SHOW MAN!!), but this trivial incident made me think about it. and we watched it twice so…
like the characters, most of us have good intentions, but they don’t always lead to the best solutions. especially when one is trying to protect the interests of a particular group and fails to understand the bigger picture. afterall this is what led the xmen to the “future” state of constantly running for their lives. this can happen for us at work, in politics and in society. and unfortunately, we mortals don’t have that time travelling ability that can change the past. but there are some ways we can change the course of what is present and future:
1) understanding the big picturemost of us do not live with crazy neighbours who have no sense of boundary and law, and who would annihilate us if they could (that’s another story for another day). most of the people around us do not have any intention to harm us. We’re all just trying to protect “us” and our vested interests. perhaps if we learnt to listen without the answers all laid out in our minds to protect ourselves, we would find better answers to solve all our problems. my daily prayer is for wisdom, an open mind to the opinions of others and to judge less (can i admit this is not natural to me and i struggle?).
2) stay presentwe can’t change the past, but we can change the repercussions of those actions that affect now and the future. like how a prisoner behaving well gets the opportunity to reduce his jail term. or like how a “sorry” begins the healing process of relationships. also, new wine doesn’t fit old wine skin. sometimes, things that worked in times past will not bring us to the next level and we have to be willing to let go and adapt.
3) never underestimate what we can do
we are living in a day and age where experts are saying that the traditional “top-down” approach is not working so well anymore. through social media, anyone can have a platform and voice. and while it can be used for bad, we CAN use it for good also (refer to point 1 and 2). this shift in culture is changing the way we interact and work with each other. and we are actually containing more power than we have ever thought possible.
we are living in a day and age where experts are saying that the traditional “top-down” approach is not working so well anymore. through social media, anyone can have a platform and voice. and while it can be used for bad, we CAN use it for good also (refer to point 1 and 2). this shift in culture is changing the way we interact and work with each other. and we are actually containing more power than we have ever thought possible.
4) not fearing difference
the thing about opinionated people (such as myself) is that we usually think we’re right. and when we have believed that for so long (the more topics the worse) or have been taught to judge things as right and wrong, we can be very closed off to people with differing opinions, working styles and values (i’m not talking about morals). but perhaps if we feared difference less and embraced it more, the varying perspectives would serve us like faucets in a diamond rather than a creating a crumpled confused mess of us as some imagine.
the thing about opinionated people (such as myself) is that we usually think we’re right. and when we have believed that for so long (the more topics the worse) or have been taught to judge things as right and wrong, we can be very closed off to people with differing opinions, working styles and values (i’m not talking about morals). but perhaps if we feared difference less and embraced it more, the varying perspectives would serve us like faucets in a diamond rather than a creating a crumpled confused mess of us as some imagine.
there are definitely more we can talk about regarding good intentions leading to good actions, but i end with this:
5) Jesus said it simply “good trees bear good fruits, bad trees bear bad fruits” (Luke 6 - referring to the heart)
and while i’m learning to reconcile this in this not-so-b&w world we live in, i take it as this (at this point). no matter how good -we think- our intentions are, our hearts can never be perfectly “good” and hence the fruits can sometimes be bad. i’m learning that every day by about lunchtime, i need my heart refreshed in Christ’s righteousness. allowing Righteousness to wash my soul, my emotions and my pride so that I can continue to do the first 4 things above and be gracious even when circumstances are stressful and ungracious towards me.
and while i’m learning to reconcile this in this not-so-b&w world we live in, i take it as this (at this point). no matter how good -we think- our intentions are, our hearts can never be perfectly “good” and hence the fruits can sometimes be bad. i’m learning that every day by about lunchtime, i need my heart refreshed in Christ’s righteousness. allowing Righteousness to wash my soul, my emotions and my pride so that I can continue to do the first 4 things above and be gracious even when circumstances are stressful and ungracious towards me.
i pray i never see a day like the xmen did in days of future past. and i pray that the small actions we take now will lead us to glorious days ahead.
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