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As somebody joked - most people wake up to this radio station - WII.FM - Double U double I FM - What's in it for Me...
This is what this chapter is about, and these are the words that came into my mind when I asked God "What is the Western World View"? These are behaviours, which are the best indicators of where we 'really' are at deep down.
As social anthropologists tell us, we can state our beliefs and our values, according to what we think society thinks we should have, but may not necessarily act them out all the time!
It's human nature, self-preservation, to look after ourselves first, yet we do have a deep psychological need for other people, and can be stressed to the point of madness by isolation. It's no co-incidence that solitary confinement is the worst punishment we can offer in our prison systems. In cultures that are traditionally tribal, banishment serves this purpose.
So this is where there can be real harm in continuous self-focused behaviours - of these attitudes of "gimme, look after me, watch me"... And harm in our pursuit of them
It isn't obvious at first glance that consumerism, performance-ism and perfectionism are harmful. But they are very "tricksy" behaviours. - Because they look so good and right and obvious - we base our society on them. We cannot easily see any better way of operating.
But I believe these are, as the scriptures put it:
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." In Greek the latter means to boast about one's livelihood.1 John 2:16.
1) Consumerism is the equation of personal happiness with consumption and the purchase of material possessions. [We all know the attraction of "shopping therapy"!]
2) In economics, consumerism refers to economic policies placing emphasis on consumption. In an abstract sense, it is the belief that the free choice of consumers should dictate the economic structure of a society.
3) An attachment to materialistic values or possessions.
Webster's dictionary defines Consumerism as "the promotion of the consumer's interests" or alternately "the theory that an increasing consumption of goods is economically desirable".
And from Dictionary.com
1. a modern movement for the protection of the consumer against useless, inferior, or dangerous products, misleading advertising, unfair pricing, etc.
2. the concept that an ever-expanding consumption of goods is advantageous to the economy.
3. the fact or practice of an increasing consumption of goods: a critic of American consumerism.
Many of us westerners have such comfortable and entertaining environments that we need never think about anything else than our possessions: and planning for our next purchases, and finding spaces for them, and comparing ours with other peoples. We can even think of partners in this category - checking out if there's a better model that we could maybe 'get'.
Mostly what we get is anxiety, too much stuff, not enough time to enjoy it, and credit card debt.
It could be seen to be a modern form of idol worship, giving us much the same result - mental and physical and spiritual bondage. It's not a pretty picture, and "this present economic climate" is, I believe, a direct result. I believe we have put ourselves in a place where we are being manipulated by "powers that be", which will continue until we reach a place where we will either starve, or have to do things we may not want to do.
Performance noun.
1. The act of performing; the carrying into execution or action; execution; achievement; accomplishment; representation by action; as, the performance of an undertaking of a duty.
2. That which is performed or accomplished; a thing done or carried through; an achievement; a deed; an act; a feat; esp., an action of an elaborate or public character. "Her walking and other actual performances." --Shak.
So this isn't just about being a stage performer - but it is about "Look at me! Aren't I doing great! I'm doing the best of anyone around... I'm going for excellence! I'm giving it 110%!" (illogical and impossible even!)
But when you have a servant attitude - you are just thinking of doing what's needed, you aren't comparing yourself to anyone else, you are just doing your bit, with the God-given abilities you have. It doesn't matter if you are not as good as the next person, you are doing your best to make your part of the world a better place than it would have been otherwise.
Not much would be done, if only the "best" person got to do it. There would be a lot of fighting and jealousy for the position, which I've come across a lot. It is not how God works. He works with us as individuals, and as groups, to do various tasks at different times - to add to our well-being, and our personal growth. I do believe he has unique tasks for us, but to Him, we come before the task. It is our relationships that matter to Him. "Love fulfills the law" Romans 13:10
Perfectionism – noun
1. any of various doctrines holding that religious, moral, social, or political perfection is attainable.
2. a personal standard, attitude, or philosophy that demands perfection and rejects anything less.
Also:
1. A propensity for being displeased with anything that is not perfect or does not meet extremely high standards.
2. A belief in certain religions that moral or spiritual perfection can be achieved before the soul has passed into the afterlife.
[The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 05 Jun. 2009.]
"It's got to be perfect!" we say of products and performances. We are looking for something that has "no faults", and maximum attraction.
But it is rare to find anything with this kind of perfection, this side of heaven. And the laws of science mean that it doesn't stay this way for long.
And there is a real problem in requiring this of people - it puts enormous pressure on us.
"But God requires this of us!" you might say. [You be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48]
This is where we have a problem with translating this word from Greek to English. The word in Greek is "teleios", it means to be complete, mature. God wants to see us grow into mature, loving adults, able to care for others as much as ourselves. Jesus died so we would not have to feel condemned about our faults, our sins. This means we can stop being so self-focused, 'navel gazing' in '60's parlance, and concentrate on the relationships we have with those around us - our nearest and dearest, our neighbours, our community, our world.
Surely, there are times we need to examine ourselves before the Lord, to bring our faults before him, to ask humbly for forgiveness and cleansing, to share with others who can advise, pray, and love us through our difficulties, and keep us accountable.
But then we are to get on with living and loving God and each other, in His strength and power!
And I do think that these are things Christians need to examine themselves about: to see that these behaviours are common amongst us, accepted and encouraged by all, and yet are working against our desires to please our Saviour, our God.
I wrote this before, that love just has to be the most important thing you can think of. Life is not worth living without it.
It spells safety, acceptance, significance (s.a.s). These are things we all need to give us a full and rich life. These are things we strive for, and in demanding more than we need, we deprive, even rob others, and overstress ourselves.
Only God can give us these things, and he does, they are ours because he made us, because all he put in place is towards us being safe, being loved and needed and cared for...
We try and get them by surrounding ourselves with consumer goods, striving for better positions, for a place in the world, for recognition.
God designed us for good works [Ephesians 2:10 "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them."] and we have the task of doing our best to find our own and do it with all our heart. But we make decisions based on money, and what is seen to be high-class, and look down on people that we would not survive without - who give us our food, clothing and shelter....
[For an article about this, go to A New Model for Intelligence]
Again, look at this key scriptures:
"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." In Greek the latter means to boast about one's livelihood.1 John 2:16.
Our reaction?
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Rev. 3:19 (KJV)
What is repentance? It means to change the way you think (behaviour will follow) with God's help...
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9When leaders become self-focused, God cannot move. Selfishness, self-will, self-importance are all about building one's own kingdom, power (influence) and glory. We can't expect God to help us do this!Or do you despise the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance? Romans 2:4 (KJV)
And the great teacher, Paul, wrote:
"And how I kept back nothing that was profitable to you, but have showed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." Acts 20:20-21 (KJV)