Amulek is sharing his own story and is talking about his own unwillingness to follow God. But it is not only in matters of religion that people harden their hearts.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines that phrase this: to stop having kind or friendly feelings for someone or caring about something.
Amulek had stopped caring about church, about living the commandments, about God. Why did he change? Because an angel came to him.
I find it interesting in my own life to think about when perhaps I was offered an opportunity to hear, to change and grow and like Amulek I would not hear.
Growth means change and it usually involves facing my own faults and weaknesses. Sometimes I am ready for those moments and sometimes I'm not.
Our country is in one of those moments where we are being called upon to listen and to change. The coronavirus has forced us to change - at least the shutdown has forced many changes upon us. Schools closed. Businesses closed. We had "stay-at-home" orders and most followed these guidelines.
Now as we are beginning to reopen, you begin to see that many "do not hear". We are advised by health organizations and by government leaders that we can move forward if we all observe social distancing meaning six feet apart and the wearing of masks.
But as you go to the stores and parks or anywhere that is now open it is obvious that the guidelines, although followed by a majority, are ignored by a large minority. They do not see a need. The virus is still here but they "harden their hearts" to the warnings.
Are we all gamblers at heart? My husband always says that when the weather report says 40% chance of rain we should remember that it also means 60% chance of no rain. The odds are in our favor.
If, say for example, one in eight Americans is infected with a virus, we see ourselves as one of the seven. The odds are in our favor. Of course, one in eight are not getting the virus. In fact, most people don't know anyone personally who has had it. And when something doesn't affect you personally you don't much care about whatever issue is at hand.
Therefore, we see the lack of social distancing in communities around the country. In particular, we are now seeing the lack of social distancing as protests all across the country are demanding change in behalf of our black citizens. Health experts warn that there will be a spike in covid-19 is as a result. And yet the protests continued because the risk of getting Covid has been set aside for a cause that matters so much that the risk is worth it.
A nation, that for too long had "hardened their hearts" to the cries of its black citizens, has decided to listen, to hear, and to know.
Amulek would understand exactly what is taking place in the hearts of many right now.
No comments:
Post a Comment