Alltruism

Altruism - Is this a god of mine?

altruism : unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others

-Merriam-Webster Dictionary

Over the past 4 years my understanding of the Gospel has changed dramatically. In a very practical way, I have grown to understand the words of Jesus to be much more about others and how he came to save the world and not just me. I've come to understand the Gospel is less and less about me being right and having a corner on the truth and more and more about how I treat those around me. How I love the mere notion that I love because I was loved first, and that I can and should love others just because God loves them...and that I love others just because. This is a difficult world view. There are so many people out there who I have difficulty loving, and I have so far to go. Once we are able to love all people we will be very close to Glory, if indeed that is not Glory itself.

In my feeble attempt to try to love all people, just because, I have found that part of my motivation for loving others is selfish. I love them because I want them to love me. I'm a people pleaser. In some ways, I think we would all struggle with this, especially if we have that people pleasing gene (ppg). So, getting around this is one thing. I often wonder how much I have become driven by the "gospel" or little g "god" of altruism. This would be the large piece of the Gospel of Jesus that is more about others than it is about Jesus. See, I have always understood the heart of God to be about His glory.

My introspection is this, "Does God receive glory when I love others for the sake of others, just for the sake of doing good? Aren't most people out there all for doing good to one another? Is there a difference between me who tries to help others in Jesus name (and sometimes my own) and those who just do it for the sake of Good in the world--altruism? Can altruism be an idol? In a culture where celebrities are seen more and more creating a trend of altruism, do i fall down to a trendy idol? How do Christ followers lead the culture in loving others just because it's what we are called to? AND, how does it look different--or will it?

I know that in order to love others so they see the love of Christ in me, I don't have to give them a tract or hit them with a Bible verse but my faith will be seen at some time in the future if, in fact, there is relationship. You could say there will be a peculiarity in my personality. Like 1 Peter 2:9-10 says,

"But you are the [peculiar] ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted."

I think it is great that Angelina is adopting (pray for those kids!). I think it's great that Starbucks gave away free coffee last spring for doing volunteer work in your neighborhood. I think its great that so many commercials on tv have celebrities promoting rescue in Haiti, peace in Afganistan, love at home, hope for the poor, and a green planet. All the while, this is the message of Christ and I have to do my part to lead like these celebrities...even though it won't be the popular, accepted thing to do. Is Jesus big enough to make his Glory known even when people do good in the name of altruism?

A time to mourn?

Why does the church celebrate lent? I will be exploring this question and writing more about it when I have an internet connection and electrical connection. For now, I will have to work on it when I get home. I'm sitting in my Tacoma in the parking lot of Paradise tonight so I can use their wireless to atleast write this much. Watch for more tomorrow. To be continued....

The Puttings Off

Well, with limited battery life, I will atleast post what I plan to put off. So far, I have decided I would fast from coffee, sugar, and yeast (bread & beer). Probably 3 of the most consumed foods that make it into my body (minus the beer). I'm still workin though the probability and possibility of chemicals and preservatives. I know I can avoid them to a point, but in Scottsbluff, it is much more difficult to find these "whole" foods than in a larger city. That's the plan. So far so good! ;)

Today was my second day at the Y. And my second blog. Reflecting is hard for me. I type, I delete, I type, I rephrase...

Romans 8 and suffering is on my mind tonight after the Ash Wed. service at Plymouth. My thoughts were different than the message I heard. I sat and asked myself, "Why do we always ask, 'Why?' when suffering occurs? It's like we feel that we don't deserve suffering. Are we, as people, really so great as to ask why we deserve suffering? I don't think my self confidence is too high or too low, but I make decisions everyday that impact people somehow. Unless we were all perfect, suffering would cease to exist. Alas, we are not perfect. Suffering comes but joy comes in the morning. "after the birthpains" Paul says.

FAT Tuesday

Tonight I celebrated all the freedom I think that I have--I bought a blondie and a couple margaritas from Applebees. Why? Just because I can’t, or wont, after tomorrow. Tomorrow begins Ash Wednesday. An important time in the church the calendar. Probably a time that should not be looked forward to. My own attitude heading into Lent, 2010, is one of anticipation. Anticipation because something great is going to happen. After doing the Daniel Fast last year on only “whole” foods, I know this year will be hard. It’s going to be hard not for what I am putting off (stay tuned to find out what that is...and I will too!) but what I will try to put on. Discipline will be the key word. Actually, lets call it self-discipline. In putting off certain pieces of my day-to-day life that cost me (cravings, time, money...), I also want to put on other pieces of what I would like to call a more holistic lifestyle. I want to reflect more. I want to push my body physically in a routine like I haven’t ever done. I want to do these to help me see Christ some how. So I ask, How do I see Christ in blogging or working out? I believe I will see him through the people and experiences this trial brings me to. If you are reading this, its because you know the I need your help. It’s a little community in my transient time in Scottsbluff. Funny though, how self-discipline involves others--or maybe peculiar. So, here we go. Lend me your ears, your eyes, your thoughts. It should be hard. I’m not looking forward to it...but I am. And on Ash Wednesday, may I do something that would help me remember the pain, suffering, and sacrifice that Christ laid down on His path to the cross for us so I may attempt to do it for others in order that they see Him.