Consciously Connected

“Our story is never written in isolation. We do not act in a one-man play. We can do nothing that does not affect other people, no matter how loudly we say, “It’s my own business.”― Madeleine L’Engle, Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art

I don’t know too much about Madeleine L’Engle, or her basic spiritual beliefs, but she is certainly right in this statement. No matter how much we tell ourselves that we’re only hurting ourselves or that what we’re doing doesn’t affect anyone else, it isn’t true. The effects of our daily choices reverberate through our families and our work places.

Even if we think we’re managing to keep our secret life or unresolved issues to ourselves, they still impact others. Without even realizing it, we may be distant, distracted or downright nasty. We can cheat people out of the blessing God intended us to be to them. Some of those that risk getting close to us may make determinations about their own value or acceptability, because we are too self-involved to notice their needs and accomplishments.

Sometimes our choices even take away someone else’s choices. Our selfishness defines their future. They have no voice. They have no choice. But, we got what we wanted.

Part of becoming whole and mature is becoming aware that in Christ we, though many, form one body and each member belongs to the others. We are not an island. We DO have a responsibility to each other. We DO need to pay attention to how our actions affect those around us. We need to peek outside ourselves and realize we are all part of the body of Christ.

“If one part suffers, every part suffers; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.” —1 Corinthians 12:26