Yet another round of insomnia. Yay.
I've decided that I am very sick of pop culture. All of the trends and fads, where you have to look a certain way, talk a certain way, act a certain way and like certain types of things or else people won't like you. Or worse, if you are so shallow, the wrong "types" of people may like you instead. The uncool. The socially worthless.
In his book "Searching for God Knows What", Donald Miller presents what he calls the "Lifeboat Theory." Essentially, he says, we act as if we are all in a lifeboat that is too small, waiting to be rescued, and this constant comparing of ourselves is to give ourselves some form of superficial worth so that, when it comes time, we won't be chosen to be thrown out.
This idea makes a lot of sense to me. Why else would we instinctively rate people based on their looks/clothes/car/wealth etc? Equality is rarely regarded as truth, and human beings throughout history have formed hierarchies of class based on certain meaningless criteria.
Miller also presents a theory that if an alien were to come to earth from some far off planet, he might see human beings like this:
"Humans, as a species, are constantly, and in every way comparing themselves to one another, which, given the brief nature of their existence, seems an oddity and, for that matter, a waste. Nevertheless, this is the driving influence behind every human's social development, their emotional health and sense of joy, and, sadly, their greatest tragedies..."
Miller continues with this theory in reference to Jesus, as well:
"It would be very interesting if Jesus, who said He was the Son of God, understood life on earth the same way the alien did. Think about it for a second. If Jesus were coming from a place where all emotional needs were met by God, His social economy would be as shocking and different as the social economy in the Garden or on whatever planet the alien came from. His values would be different and His personality would be different..."
He concludes this theory with "... He had no regard for the lifeboat politics you and I live within everyday. He believed a great deal of absurd ideas, such as we should turn the other cheek if somebody hits us, we should give somebody our coat even if they just ask for our shirt, we should be willing to give up all our money and follow Him, we should try our hardest to make peace, we should treat poor people the same as we treat the rich... He believed we should take every opportunity to fail in the lifeboat game, not for the sake of failing, but because there wasn't anything to win in the first place..."
I will readily admit that, in the context of the lifeboat theory, I constantly strive to be the guy nobody would ever throw out. Humility has never been my strong suit. I always have to be the best at everything I do. I surround myself with those that I believe will enhance my social status, and I have, unfortunately, been known to shun those who might impede it.
Let's see what Jesus had to say about social status... (Matt. 19:23-30, ESV)
And Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
No comments:
Post a Comment