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.

sionsapm
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 odoing--the killer. 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 definitionof compassion 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. i will have a mini-series on this for the next few entries, first consumerism.

 

Consumerism
We can’t escape all the messages of promise, hope, and satisfaction that comes with a purchase of that new, better item. All the billions of dollars spent alone on flyers, bulletin boards, commercials, marketing and ideas is astounding and even oppressive if we sit and look long enough at it.
There is a tactic to keep yourself focused on what you ‘need’ rather on what now you can do for others with what you have. Those so called ‘needs’ are actual deep felt wants that have nothing to do with true needs (enough food to live, shelter to protect, sleep, caring relationships, spiritual nurturing). This was taught to us out of media and the results of WW2, the industry and financial well being of our country depended on it. From my understanding the ‘great financial minds’ said we need to be a consuming nation so our economy will thrive. Enough was no longer enough. Items that used to be made with integrity and longevity were made less because it potentially slowed down consumerism (the washing machines of old lasted way longer than the models we buy today)

An aside -Targeting teenagers- something from my understanding is that teenagers never existed prior to 1940’s. it was a term coined by marketers to tap into one of the best consuming markets –people in the ages 13-19. They have cash (well they have their parents cash if they annoy, beg or complain enough), plus they have not fully developed minds/emotions that can be preyed on with a barrage of messages that say, ‘you need to fit in and with this brand of clothes, this latest music, this life of independence that can only be bought.’
We are basing a strong feeling of items as needs when they are just wants. It is ok to want/desire something, but the focus, times spent, and energy consumed in wanting is what kills our soul and likely the souls of many who we don’t see.

 For instance:
-if I want the next gimmick so badly, and feel I need it, people who hold me back from that entitlement are actually threats to my survival and should be treated as such (spouses become evil enemies when they challenge us, family time can be hindrances from the important pursuit of consuming, poors and those with needs are only considered when I feel I have all my needs met, etc) Selfishness is being fully catered to. (‘Do what thou wilt’ is a phrase right out of the satanic bible because it is the opposite of the very nature of Jesus).

-in the world we will not care so much of the resource stealing, abuse of power and harming of people we can’t see if we can get our needs met with a good deal.

-we will feel more and more incomplete in our own person. As a person feels in their own heart, so are they. If we feel incomplete in our own life, we will project that on to others and harm the very relational fabric we need.

So how do we undo this 60-70 year tradition? (actually the selfish heart issue is a much longer tradition). I find that a lifestyle of giving is the most effective way to undo what deeply lies within me. First I may need to recognize the amount of messages and values of consumerism around me. When we take time to see the subtle destructive nature of consumerism within ourselves and promote in the world, we can begin to see the place for transformation of giving. As I feed a life of sharing time, giving items, donating money towards other who are less fortunate than I not only assaults the greed, but it cultivates and aligns myself to the Giver—Christ. Compassion is in part a giving of your attention, time and resources to those who are in need.

Practically that could look like:
-each time you see the messages of buying or ‘consume’ think about it, talk about it (with family, friend). Example—Beer commercials that say if you drink our beer life is the best (popular, significant, good looking and happy). When in reality most avid beer drinkers do not look like the people in the commercial and have great difficulties with relationships. Look for the way the values of satisfaction are promised with the item advertised (happiness, peace, fulfillment, significance, great relationships). Be able think of true ways to work towards peace, happiness, etc.
- one suggestion I have heard is to go to basic cable or remove cable to reduce the messages of commercials and encourage creative ways to engage people in your home life. Or try fasting from something for a time and what money you save from not buying, coffee, fast food, candy etc you give to someone who really needs support. You can associate with suffering that way
Being aware and attentive to giving is something our society is more and more ready for—so is Jesus.  -joe