Let’s just call something out. You are incredibly privileged. Based upon the fact that you were able to push a button and connect to the information super highway you are among the world’s wealthiest. The simple fact that you are connected online to so many hundreds of other people through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram mean that you have privilege and means. I know that I do. There are times when I wonder am I using my privilege and my means enough to support and take care of those who do not have as much.
It’s funny, the more connected we are digitally, it seems like the more disconnected we are physically.
When Jesus is asked what the greatest commandment in the law is, He responds in Matthew 22:37-40 by saying,
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend the whole law and the Prophets.
When Jesus uttered those words I don’t think that He meant that we should just click ‘like’ on someone’s Facebook rant about the injustices in the world.
I don’t think that Jesus meant that we should stir our hearts to the point of passion, but not enough passion to actually do anything about it.
It’s funny… We are able to explain away so easily what it means to love our neighbors as ourselves. It amazes me how simple it is for me to ignore my neighbors and not give a rip about what is happening in their world. We live in the most connected world ever. What will it take for us to reorient ourselves and look to the needs of all of those people on your news feeds, and timelines.
I love how Jen Hatmaker puts it,
Love your neighbor as yourself. In other words, what standard is acceptable for my own life? My own family? This is the benchmark for everyone else.
What if we applied the same benchmark that we have for ourselves towards others? I imagine that we would give more, listen more, hug more, laugh more, pray more, help more, be more, and see more.
Here’s to being ‘more’. Let’s be ‘more’ together.
~Peter
