OU blog

Personal Blogs

Jim McCrory

A Letter To Those Who Walk Without Empathy

Visible to anyone in the world
Edited by Jim McCrory, Sunday, 24 Nov 2024, 12:41




Image generated by Microsoft Copilot



Dear Fellow human,

I don’t write with anger or judgment, I don't even like using the word "sociopath" — it seems so confrontational and judgemental. How about,  A Letter To Those Who Walk Without Empathy? That sounds better.

I pen this letter with a heartfelt plea for reflection and hope. You may not think of yourself as someone who hurts others. Maybe you justify your actions, rationalizing that people deserve what happens to them or that life is simply a game to be played and won. But deep down, there’s a truth you can’t outrun: the choices we make, especially the way we treat others, shape the person we become.

You may have mastered the art of charm, weaving a web of deception so seamlessly that it feels second nature. Perhaps you’ve lied to gain someone’s trust, taken shortcuts without a second thought, or avoided responsibility by blaming others. You might act impulsively, driven by whims, or find it hard to control the anger that flares when life doesn’t go your way. And when relationships falter, maybe you’ve told yourself it’s their fault, not yours. Ultimately, you will never find happiness in this way. Perhaps, loneliness.

But here’s the thing: you don’t have to stay on this path. The capacity to choose differently, to rewrite the narrative of your life, is always within reach.

Psalm 15 offers a vision of what it means to live a life of integrity and depth—a life where others find safety, trust, and love in your presence. It says:

"Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent?

Who may live on your holy mountain?

The one whose walk is blameless,

who does what is righteous,

who speaks the truth from their heart;

whose tongue utters no slander,

who does no wrong to a neighbor,

and casts no slur on others;

who despises a vile person

but honors those who fear the Lord;

who keeps an oath even when it hurts,

and does not change their mind;

who lends money to the poor without interest;

who does not accept a bribe against the innocent.

Whoever does these things

will never be shaken.

(NIV)

This passage isn’t just a lofty ideal; it’s an invitation. Imagine being someone others can trust completely, who speaks the truth even when it’s hard, who lifts others up instead of tearing them down. Imagine being someone who keeps their promises, lives with honesty, and treats others with kindness—not because it’s easy, but because it’s right.

What would it take for you to start walking this path?

Yes, it requires courage. It means acknowledging the harm you’ve caused, taking responsibility, and making amends where you can. It means letting go of excuses and facing the uncomfortable truth about yourself. But it also means freedom—freedom from the lies, the manipulation, and the emptiness that often accompany a life of deceit.

You were created for more than this. You were designed to connect deeply, to love sincerely, and to bring good into the world. It’s not too late to change. Seeking help is not a weakness but a sign of strength. Reaching out for guidance, admitting your struggles, and striving for a life of integrity can transform not just your relationships, but your entire sense of purpose. The very fact that you are reading this may be that God is prompting you to attain something better.

If this message feels like a confrontation, I hope you’ll see it instead as an act of care. Change isn’t easy, but the rewards are profound: peace of mind, genuine relationships, and a life that reflects the beauty of Psalm 15.

The path to becoming a person of integrity is open to you. The question is, will you take it?

With hope for your future,

A Fellow Human.

If you need support, Join us at Unshackled Faith Bible Study and Discussion Group - DownToMeet

 

Bible verses from the NIV,

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


Permalink
Share post
Jim McCrory

Good Morning Jamaica! I like That Word Labba-Labba

Visible to anyone in the world
Edited by Jim McCrory, Saturday, 14 Dec 2024, 03:18




 

Image generated with the assistance of Microsoft Copilot




                                            Drawing Boundaries in a World of Labba-Labba


Privacy is a cornerstone of human dignity, yet many people, while guarding their own secrets, fail to extend the same respect to others. In Jamaican Patois, labba-labba captures the concept of idle gossip, a harmful habit that often violates this dignity. For Christians, respecting privacy is integral to loving one’s neighbour, yet gossip erodes trust, exploiting personal details for entertainment or judgment rather than honouring another's boundaries.

The Bible cautions against gossip, as in Proverbs 11:13: "a gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret." To respect privacy means recognizing that not everything we’re curious about is ours to know. When we engage in labba-labba, we reduce others to topics, disregarding their feelings and trust. But at the same time, make us persons that are to be treated with caution since we cannot be trusted. This can lead to lives of loneliness on our part.

Christ’s example teaches us to practice humility and empathy, allowing people to open up on their terms rather than prying. Genuine interest supports others without intruding, while guarding privacy builds an environment of respect. As Christians, we can model this by choosing silence over gossip, becoming trustworthy protectors of each other's dignity. In doing so, we create a culture where respect and love are the true measures of interest. Think in teams of the positive side of the proverb where we read "a trustworthy person keeps a secret."



Permalink
Share post

This blog might contain posts that are only visible to logged-in users, or where only logged-in users can comment. If you have an account on the system, please log in for full access.

Total visits to this blog: 314914