It seems that as a culture we are changing in the way our society interacts with each other, and supports others by serving them. Sadly, these trends should not surprise us, given the general move in our Western culture away from what can best be described as a Christian worldview to what might be best described as a “Self world view”.
Put simply, we are what we believe (see John Anderson’s talk: Lose faith, Lose culture).
If we believe that the universe revolves around us, and that our number one purpose is happiness and that happiness is derived from having our needs, wants and desires met, then it should not surprise us that things are changing!
The truth is that God has designed us for happiness but one that is derived from honouring Him and serving others. We honour God by turning to Him, trusting His Son and emulating the trajectory of His life in our daily life. Jesus’ humility that brought Him from Heaven to the cross was that our need for pardon could be accomplished. Once the consequence of this self-giving of God the Son is grasped and received, the joy of service to others (and obedience to Him) will overflow.
Such service is not satisfied with a selfish “charity begins at home” attitude but will seek the good of others where there is no recognition, no reward. Of course this is difficult, since it means a giving up of time and often a financial cost but being the way of Christ it will always attract His strength, peace and joy.
Our communities are built on the back of everyday service. We are the beneficiaries of each others’ kindnesses freely given but we are wise to recognise that such experience flows out of the grace of God. Just as a river that has its source blocked can no longer deliver its life giving refreshment, so too if we fail to acknowledge our gracious God and use our resources, energies and time only for ourselves.
If the words of Professor Daniel Yankelovich’s are true (and I think they are) then I worry about what will become of our society. He says, “By concentrating day and night on your feelings, potentials, needs, wants and desires, and by learning to assert them more freely, you do not become a freer, more spontaneous, more creative self; you become a narrower, more self-centred, more isolated one. You do not grow; you shrink”.
Shrinking can, however, be overcome by generous service.
How are we as God’s people adopting a God serving view of life rather than a self serving one?