When I look at the world today, it honestly seems like people are taking less responsibility for their lives all the time. Even worse, they are becoming more judgemental. So I see a really destructive pattern that is damaging our society wherein individuals are not assuming ownership of their own lives, choices, etc., but opting instead to blame others for their behavior. In the process of casting blame, they are also making blanket judgements about entire groups of people. For instance, if someone holds a political view that is different from ours, we might blame their party for something we don’t like in the world and make a generalization about anyone who subscribes to that view. I see both conservatives and liberals doing this, and I also see it in religious groups as they cast judgement on unbelievers, or even worse, on other believers. 

The problem with this way of dealing with life is that it finds its root in an existence that is not grounded in purpose. When a person is focused on carrying out their own call in the world, they typically don’t concern themselves as much with critiquing what those around them are or are not doing. This doesn’t mean that they don’t hold certain views or convictions — they just don’t impose their perspective on everyone else. Because they are busy focusing on their own life, they stay in their lane, and the result is a less fearful and more content existence. 

Friend, Jesus has given you a calling and has uniquely fashioned you to carry it out. When you are dedicated to fulfilling your divinely-appointed purpose, the tendency to blame others is replaced by a passion that floods your life with peace. As you live meaningfully and responsibly, the fear of not doing or being enough is replaced by a deep contentment that spreads to and blesses those around you. Isn’t that good news?