When a London newspaper asked its readers to respond to the question, “What is wrong with the world,” the editor received a reply from philosopher G.K.
Chesterton. It read: “Dear sir, I am.”
Just because it is a cliche doesn’t make it any less true; a better world does begin with me. As does a better community, a better marriage, and a better church.
It is so much easier to complain and criticize than it is to build and strengthen. They don’t build monuments for critics. Critics don’t write great literature, or create art, or even good government. They simply jeer at the sincere, best efforts of those who build.
So what’s wrong with the world? Probably not G.K. Chesterton, or at least it wasn’t entirely his fault. Yet he realized that for the world to improve, for it to change, he must act himself to make it so.
We used to sing a song as children — “Brighten the Corner Where You Are.”
“Let your light shine before men that they
may see your good works and glorify your
father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
There’s a lot of darkness out there. Are you adding to the light, or dampening the fire of others? This much is true: there are two kinds of people in the world, or the church: The givers and the takers.
It’s OK to be a taker if you are a child. But even children grow to make their contribution.
So what’s wrong with the world? Any suggestions?