–By Howard W. Norton

“Master, the tempest is raging! The billows are tossing high!” Mary A. Baker’s lyrics speak for Americans today. Coronavirus, economic shutdown, unemployment, trillions of dollars in debt, racism, police brutality, violent protests, anarchy, looting, and bewildered leaders. “The sky is o’ershadowed with blackness. No shelter or help is nigh.”

Good people long for peace and tranquility, but how can it be achieved? Untie the hands of the police. Have police stand down. Elect Biden. Re-elect Trump. Urge the president to speak. Tell him to be quiet. Local officials should step up. No, federal government must lead the way. Send in the military. No, leave it to the police. Contradictory ideas abound.

Maybe the right question is, What can I do? I can pray. I can treat others the way I want to be treated. I can work at building better relations with people different from me. I can talk to them about the barriers that separate us. I can listen. I can tell them the story of Jesus and imitate him in my life.

For us, the question is not, What should others do? It is, What can I do to make a difference?