Upside Down: The World

“Where there is a loss of wonder there is a natural tug toward a reductionistic view of everything aesthetic or virtuous. For that matter, all of life boils down to the rags of matter in chemical or physical reaction, and the strongest ‘reactions’ win. Man becomes another blip on the radar screen of time” (Ravi Zacharias).

What emotion does that last sentence evoke? Is it not one of the individual’s greatest fears to be just another blip, another drop in the bucket? The quest for originality and the meaning of life has filled thousands of volumes and flashed across millions television screens. The late J.D. Salinger’s story of an adolescent temper tantrum, Catcher in the Rye, comes to mind. One can understand the confusion and emotional upheaval of a teenager growing up in post-war America, having certain things expected of him, but longing for something more. But, in his attempt to portray a young man struggling to find his place in the world, Salinger failed to address the real issues, instead leaving the reader with a sense of hopeless cynicism.

In the time since then (the past decade especially) the foundations of our country, society, and even our freedoms, have begun to shift, causing many people to reevaluate their state of being and security. No one wants to see their world crumble around them. But as much as we may try to deny it, and as much as we may fear it, sometimes we must witness the world change. Sometimes this change can be violent, carrying suffering, pain and need along with it. Of course, human will and a “we can do it” mantra alone is not enough to stem the tide of a cultural and/or economic breakdown. We must recognize that there are powerful (even non-human) forces at work behind the scenes of most political, economic, military and even religious associations. Sadly, many of these shadow-powers do not have humanity's best interest at heart.

But how can a blip on a radar screen make a difference? How can someone like me change the world? Consider the words of Charles Spurgeon:

“The Apostles were not the disturbers of states. It is true, they preached that which would disturb the sinful constitution of a kingdom and which would disturb the evil practices of false priests, but they never meant to set men in an uproar. They did come to set men at arms with sin; they did draw the sword against iniquity; but against men as men, against kings as kings, they had no battle; it is with iniquity and sin, and wrong everywhere, that they proclaimed an everlasting warfare. But still, brethren, there is many a true word spoken in jest, we say, and surely there is many a true word spoken in malice. They said the Apostles turned the world upside down. They meant by that, that they were disturbers of the peace. But they said a great true thing; for Christ's gospel does turn the world upside down. It was the wrong way upwards before, and now that the gospel is preached, and when it shall prevail, it will just set the world right by turning it upside down.”

Francis of Assisi is attributed with saying, “Preach the Gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” While I do not think he was undermining the verbal proclamation of the Gospel message, I do think he was stressing that we should go about each day in such a way that our lives mirror the spirit of the Gospel even when we aren’t speaking it. This, I believe, is another way in which we can impact the world around us. To live our lives unselfishly, inspiring others to do the same.

“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

In a world where greed and marketing ploys are a part of every day life, it is refreshing to see a break in the trend. As I drove through the streets of my city on Christmas night, and saw darkened businesses and bright homes, something stirred within me, inexplicably, like a realization that there are still people who care about each other. The simplicity of leaving material thoughts and things behind to spend time with family and friends has tragically become a rare commodity. But it would seem that in these hard times people are beginning to see the value of those things which cannot be lost or taken away. Perhaps, as Christians, we will finally listen to Christ's admonition not to store up treasures in this life, but rather to live with eternity in our minds and hearts.

Truly, as I stated earlier, no one wishes to go through turmoil and tribulation. But I do believe, as well as many, many others, that it is in these tumultuous times that we are given the opportunity to shine as bright lights in a dark world. Even if we do not realize it, by simply living our lives as Christ would have us--not losing heart or hope--we will be seen and heard by others. This is our calling; to be seen as different; to be in the world but not of the world; to speak the truth, and more importantly, live the truth.

Little things, like the stillness on Christmas night, have been standing out to me lately. A few weeks ago I was running some errands with my mother. We were stopped at a red light, and as we were waiting I noticed a man crossing the street in front of us, obviously heading home from work. He looked to be a mechanic, or some similar vocation, wearing greasy gray coveralls and carrying a lunch box. Wanting to keep an eye on the light (I was driving), as soon as he passed out of the crosswalk I was not going to pay any more attention to him. But then my mother said, "Someone's coming to say ‘Hi’ to daddy." I looked over and saw two small children excitedly running towards the man. He had just entered the parking lot of a motel at the corner of the intersection, and the children were obviously coming from the motel itself. Once they reached the man, the children hugged him and he picked them both up in spite of the lunch box. The light turned green just as I saw the three of them heading back towards the motel.

Clearly, I cannot pretend to know whether or not that man was even the children’s father, much less their overall situation. Nonetheless, I cannot help but think about the thousands of men who go to work in Cadillacs and BMWs instead of walking; wear three-piece suits instead of jumpsuits; and come home to a nearly empty five-bedroom house instead of a crowded one-room motel. And I wonder, "Are these men as happy as the blue-collar worker whose children run out to greet him after a hard day's work?" Does more money mean more love, contentment or happiness? Or does it tend to drive people apart and sometimes even ruin lives? Understand, I am not saying that people with money are not or cannot be happy, but I am saying that a lack of money does not necessarily mean they are lacking. We talk of "haves" and "have-nots". Have-not what? What are the things that really matter? What makes a person who they are? What contributes to their legacy? Is it their car, house, clothes or paycheck? Is that what we want to be defined by?

We all know, I believe, the answers to these rhetorical questions. Nevertheless it is good to sometimes be reminded of them and to reflect on life and the essence of life. Jesus, of course, said, "One's life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses." This simple truth is echoed numerous times and in various ways throughout the Bible.

The goal of writing this commentary was partly to put my own thoughts about materialism, individuality and life's purpose in order, and partly to stir up a renewed sense of what it truly means to live. Being the beginning of a new year, a time in which I personally have been contemplating the meaning of my own life, I think it is appropriate to put these thoughts and observations out for others to consider. I am neither a philosopher nor a greatly experienced person of the world. I do, however, like to think that I am fairly intelligent and discerning (although hardly above correction or criticism).

My prayer at this time is that each of us will choose the path of hope and living this life with our eyes fixed on eternity, and on the One with whom we will spend eternity, and that in doing so we will inspire others to live as extraordinary, ordinary people. Only through Christ is this even possible, so above all, thanks be to Him who redeemed us that we might have hope and abundant life. Amen.