Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up, take your mat and walk’?

I know some of you will think this blog will have something directly to do with the lesson in Mark's Gospel; but, outside of the title, this is not a Bible lesson at all.  It is about being paralyzed instead.

At a recent meeting of our local MoveOn Council, we were more-or-less stumped about what to do next.  We have so many things before us, it is hard to know where to start; and we have few folk who are really active in the planning and processing we must do that it seems almost impossible to go on.  Another way of saying this is that we are paralyzed in some ways. 

I have been in this paralyzed state before.  I wasn't sure what the right approach would be to continue to work in the lab, or the next thing to do to try to improve the life of a local congregation in the church, or even the right way to show my love for family or friends.  More recently I was paralyzed by the loneliness I was feeling brought on by my own depression and isolation.

What I have learned is that we need to do something; and it is almost better to do what turns out to be the wrong thing than to do nothing at all.

 

• A friend's spouse commits suicide; and you don't know what to say so you say nothing; and they feel you don't care.
• You need to hire a new employee; and you are having a hard time deciding which one is best, or aren't sure any of them are the right fit, so you wait instead of continuing to recruit for the position.
• You know that, as an extrovert, you must get out of the house and around people; but you can't decide what you can afford or where would best fit your needs so you go nowhere.You know your car needs repair; but you can't decide what is the right approach while the engine continues to get progressively worse.

When it comes to our work in activism, we can become overwhelmed with how very much there is to do.  Right now, just in our area, we are confronted by sever major issues  Here are some of them:

• The proposed Bluegrass Pipeline, which would bring Natural Gas Liquids (not to be confused with Liquified Natural Gas) which are toxic, heavier than air, and potentially explosive when the leak occurs.  We have an especially dangerous topography here in Central Kentucky because of sinkholes and caves where these liquids/gases can collect unseen until an explosion occurs or we find the water is killing folk.  
• Food Stamps and other social services are cut so that the wealthier can become even wealthier, claiming it is for the good of the country rather than for the benefit of the top1-10%.
• Attacks are being made on other social protections such as Medicare and Medicaid.
• The Affordable Care Act is under attack not for legitimate issues with it, but for mostly fabricated issues by people who do not want it to work.
• The Transpacific Partnership (TPP), which would add many more "trade partners" with no trade barriers which helps them much more than the people of the USA.  (It is called NAFTA on steroids.)

Where do we start?  What is the most important issue?  What is the best approach to the most important issues?  How much do you and I have in time, talent, money, and interest to attack the problem(s)?

I can't answer that; but I can tell you that just sitting and complaining is not a legitimate option.  Get at it.  Do something.  Give what you have to give; and don't give up.

Now, you all tell me something you know is a need, including any of these; and how you are going to try to help.  In other words, "Get up....." and GO!