This week’s blog will also be as straightforward as possible, and it will be similar to the topic of the previous blog. Last week, we discussed the importance of speaking up as situations warrant – and doing so, especially for others. We also now know that, when we speak up, we bring about change. More often, the change we want may not even come when we speak. But we know that our effort may serve as the starting point for those who will bring the change we need to life. To continue from we left off last week, I’d like to give a quick word of advise about doing our part.
Backstory:
I was driving behind a city bus and two passengers had just alighted. As they were exiting the bus, another passenger was running to the bus stop in order to get on the bus. The two passengers saw the person who was running to catch the bus and the driver was still within their reach. However, they did not make any attempt to get the driver’s attention as he pulled off. The lady who was running ended up missing the bus. That was quite unfortunate because the next bus was only going to be there 20 – 30 minutes after. I remarked to myself that those two passengers were foul for not trying to get the driver’s attention. As soon as I drove past the bus, it dawned on me that the lady who missed the bus could also say that I was foul because I did not honk or do anything else to call the bus driver’s attention to her. I did not do my part, yet I called the others out for not acting.
From the backstory, I believe the point being made this week is pretty clear – we should do our part if we expect a situation to improve. To “do your part” means to be active, to do something tangible, to move, etc. It is great that we speak up on behalf of those who may need help. It is also important to put some action to the words we speak. It is the “work” aspect of our responsibility without which the Bible says that Faith only is dead.
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17
Before you go around pointing fingers, have you done your part? I was thinking of a scenario once and I thought I came to a decent conclusion. The scenario was that someone would come to me and ask me what negative quality I thought was present in something or someone. My conclusion was that I could only point out a negative after I’ve made an attempt to improve it in one way or another. Therefore, if I did not make any effort to make the situation more pleasant for everyone, I couldn’t just seat in my privileged seat and point out “faults”. I’m sure some people are able to poke holes into that thinking, and that’s fine for them.
When doing our part, we have to also be able to “read the room”. By this, I mean that we need to be sure that the situation actually requires and/or permits our input before we give it. Sometimes, we may want to do our part but the other party may not be receptive to our effort. Forcing ourselves on the person would defeat the purpose of acting. A lecturer once told us we should endeavour to take permission for something as simple as offering a piece of advise to a colleague. Ask them “can I give you my opinion on [such and such]?”. the person you are trying to stand up for would be willing to hear you out once they have given you the permission. At other times, waiting on a signal/“permission” from someone before we act may prove to be time-wasting. We need to strike while the iron is hot. So, read the room and apply discretion before acting.
Finally, there are some things that we cannot help with. As much as you want to do your part to help someone out, the person must (i) accept your help, as stated above, and (ii) must be willing to do the work that will make your effort fruitful. Doing your part will not yield much if the person direct related to the situation does not take the necessary steps to improve their own situation. Therefore, responsibility has a role to play as well. You cannot help someone to take responsibility for their deeds. Neither can someone else help you to take responsibility for your action.
Remember, don’t just stay quiet when you see something going wrong. Speak up. Then follow that up with some action, do your part. You and/or someone else will be grateful that you did.
RANTS FROM THE PRIVILEGED SEAT 