Dear Reader,
Like most New Yorkers I was skeptical when a friend texted me that the delivery platform, Grubhub, was offering “Free Lunch”. But unable to resist “free” anything I logged into my app and placed an order. What followed was chaos. Restaurants were overwhelmed, couriers couldn't meet the demands, and more than once Grubhub’s app and customer service system crashed, and in case you were wondering, I never got my lunch.
Incidents like these seem to be on the rise. Whether it’s free lunch, black squares on Blackout Tuesday, or piles of unused clothes strewn across the Polish-Ukrainian border, there seems to be a disconnect between our intentions and their real-world consequences.
We live in a reactionary world. Social Media gives us access to information from around the globe. We are inundated with images of suffering, injustice, and real-world hurt. Campaigns and Non-Profits abound and often when tragedy strikes we look to do something about it. Of course, the nature of social media forces us to make careful decisions in seconds. Many of us don't pause to read the fine print or do further research. It's easier to click donate or repost than it is to carefully consider the consequences of our “so-called '' good deeds. If we’re honest our motivations often have less to do with real care and more to do with people’s perception of us. So instead of carefully considering what to do to help, we get on whatever bandwagon will score us the most social credit, and leave the consequences to people already suffering.
But let’s say our motivations are pure. Why then do good deeds spiral out of control? Proverbs 19:2 states that “desire without knowledge is not good, and one who moves too hurriedly misses the way.” Zeal isn’t enough. We need wisdom. Wisdom slows us down and forces us to consider our actions. Zeal rushes to help, wisdom stops, thinks, and reads the fine print. In other words, before we rush to offer free lunches to a city of 8 million people, we should consider the impact it might have on those working in the service industry. In an age of immediacy and reaction, we should cultivate wisdom and thoughtfulness. Mistaken Mercy can inadvertently do a lot of damage and so it’s incumbent on us to think before we do.
So before we jump to help what should we do?
The first step is always self-reflection. Asking ourselves the hard questions like, why do I want to help, am I guilty of virtue signaling, or is this a case of slacktivism (activism that requires nothing from me and functions to benefit me)? A bit of humility goes a long way in mitigating the problems brought on by our misplaced acts of mercy.
Then, it’s a case of research, which usually looks like talking to people on the ground. Asking simple questions like, what do you need or how can I help? If possible, talking to people on the ground is the best way to learn about the help they actually need.
Lastly, this should culminate in prayerful participation, asking God what we should be doing. We can’t fight every fight. We will burn ourselves out if we try. By acknowledging our finitude we entrust the rest to God and are free to do the work within our power. So, instead of jumping into the deep end, pray, where and who is God calling you to?
Recent Publications:
Nothing to report here! Stay tuned for new essays, articles, fiction, and poetry.
Recommended Reading:
Augustus, John Williams: In Augustus John Williams retells the story of Ceasar Augustus, from Julius’ death to Augustus’ rise to power. To accomplish this Williams put together an epistolary novel, using fictional letters and multiple voices to tell a wide-ranging yet personal story.
Writing Update:
No update! Still working on my novel and waiting for the final edits for my next collection. In the meantime, if you haven’t already (or even if you have), pick up a copy of my first poetry book, For Those Wandering Along the Way! Need convincing? Check out these reviews from readers like you.
I hadn’t read poetry in a few years and picked this collection upon a recommendation. I read one of Ryan Diaz's heartfelt, beautiful, and honest poems each morning before work and it made my day each time. Poetry really is mental medicine and this book is full of the good stuff. -Richard
I found Diaz and his poetry through Instagram and wow, I am so glad that I did. These poems are moving and beautiful. They feel fantastical and magical, while also being deeply grounded in ordinary life. I especially appreciated the poems that were a nod to days in the church calendar, the saints, and the Sabbath. - Rachel