Advisory Graffito

During a recent visit to London, I had a daily mile’s walk to my less-than-salubrious digs at Park Royal. I was struck by just one of the many examples of graffiti found by pavements and subways. I suspect that such artistic offerings are the last thing people see when they are busy getting mugged. This one stated:

Take care of yourself as no one [else] ever will!!

Perhaps the author was still hurt by some disappointment in which friends and family let him down. Or perhaps he was a Thatcherite member of his local Conservative Association and wished to spread the message of self-help. This admonishment all too ineloquently bespeaks the culture of the age: looking after one’s self, a rugged and bitter individualism. The gospel states that this is part of the problem, not the solution. I thank God that I have One in heaven looking out for me. He is not our servant, eagerly responding to our orders or craving our counsel, but He cares for us and provides for our needs. In return, I must now take care of others:

For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. 1 John 3:11