a l i v e & a w a k e

 

I have been studying/speaking on what it takes for us to be actively bringing about the work of community and compassion to our sphere of living. A part of the talk has to with what holds us back from joining Christ at what He is doing. First I have really liked the simple definition of ‘compassion’; com = with, and passion = suffering (like the ‘passion of the Christ’) so in turn ‘suffering with’ is the best definition to me and for my purposes. The other part is talking about joining Christ and walking a very ‘alive and awake’ experience of who He is in our world despite the prevalence of the issues that hold us back.

 

 

Capitalism

..equality can never be achieved in a capitalistic society that is based on entrenched inequality. –Judy Rebick, Transforming Power, 2009

This concept of “an economic system in which wealth, and the means of producing wealth, are privately owned and controlled rather than commonly, publicly, or state-owned and controlled”, sounds closely associated to consumerism and may have been birthed from the philosophy of it.

 

There is something else a part of capitalism the merits its own point- The need to be better than others. What we are taught by from a very young age is to look for what is different, prejudice (forms into racism), and competitiveness.  Whether it is in the play ground of ‘I’m first’ or ‘me first’, or at the school years of ‘my team can beat your team’ or ‘our school is better than your school’ (my dad can beat up your dad, etc), the message is clear –if you can win, be ahead you are really living the best life.

Problem is that we are built to be in community and relying on each other. In fact we have so many weaknesses, we are built to be interdependent –with God and with each other (God in them).  The compassion that comes from capitalism is at best to give to people with need, but not too much otherwise they can exceed you, or it is subtly laced with prejudiced emphasizing the differences, which in turn looks like pity. Or the giving has a ‘how can giving to this need benefit me?’ kind of air. There is little dignity in that giving.  This is the opposite of Christ.

Jesus was about giving His life, time and energy not only to die for others but to give a purposeful ministry of giving ‘greater than His’ (John 14). This is the antithesis to capitalism.  His compassion looks to suffer with people not pity. His compassion will have no problem walking through cultural or human social barriers and gives rather than finds a better way of life that preserves His life.

Also Christ is not threatened when challenged or when people try to compete with Him. He holds everything with open hands and is able to let prestige and power go. Compassion can truly work at that point. In some profound way we recognize we need the poors in our lives and can bring them close to us. Their poverty reveals our poverty that is more cleverly hidden behind ‘successes and achievement.

Practically what this looks like:

-Taking time to check yourself each day if you are in a competitive mode (for me it is ‘am I ok to let someone cut into my lane in traffic?’, or in line at the grocery store, or if ideas are being asked for and I try to come out with the good insight before each other has a chance to say their bit).

-Find ways to promote others at work and in family life. If someone has an idea or ability that helps out, let them have the credit and let them have the first chance at a solution even if they will do it at 60% of what you could do at a 100%.

-Give sacrificially. When you know you can give in a way that can make you uncomfortable,  you are stretching your capacity to be used of Christ (making more room for Him). This kind of giving will remove the chance of competing with others overall and bring understanding of others who feel needs every day.