Being a natural born citizen of the Great Lakes State, and by default a fan of the University of Michigan Wolverines, I am guilty of a perverse happiness regarding the recent Ohio State football scandals. If we are honest, there is something within us that loves to see the proud stumble. What is that something? Pride. When those who are at the top fall, in some sick way, we save face. The recent transgressions at Ohio State are in no way related to Michigan's 15-22 record over the last three seasons, but at least we come by our failure honestly. Sick? Perhaps. Hypocritical? Sure. Typical? Sadly, yes.The recent scandal involving Anthony Wieners has been no less satisfying for those who are critical of Democrats or politicians in general. Strong rhetoric about the moral decline of government leadership, as if this is a new thing, has come from other government leaders with aspirations for high offices who, albeit legally, allow gifts from lobbyists, pressure from their party and the future of their political careers to influence their decisions rather than personal moral standards or constituent concerns.
This lends some credibility to the average Joe's outrage to political scandals. We expect our leaders, entertainers, athletes and clergy to meet some kind of arbitrary moral standard and subject them to intense media scrutiny. An entire industry is dedicated to finding, exposing and/or fabricating gossip and scandal among celebrities from the "classy" Entertainment Tonight and People to the "trashy" TMZ and Us Magazine. When these icons do fall, we are shocked and appalled, yet how many of us could survive this kind of intense moral examination? When standing in the light, we all cast shadows.
Anthony Wieners had secrets. Secret thoughts. Secret motives. Secret actions. He tried to keep them secret. He led a double life. Thinking he could be two men, perhaps he deceived himself. What about you? Do you have secrets? As Americans we are adamant about our right, our entitlement, to privacy. Are secrets wrong? I believe that secret is the enemy of honesty. Do we need to air our dirty laundry with everyone? I don't think so, but there needs to be a community of people with whom we are completely honest. There are people I trust who know my personal failures, temptations, things I have thought or done. These people keep me real, keep me humble, and keep me honest. I can't do that alone.
Secret thoughts become secret motives. Secret motives become secret actions. Secret actions become secret habits. Secret habits are addictions that surface, destroying trust and decimating those we care about. They are ultimately selfish. We may justify we are protecting loved ones, but who are we really saving? Who do we really love? Self. What makes us really sick about Anthony Wieners? How about the fact that he is just like us, but he is exposed. The greatest lie we can believe is that we are better. One day, all will be revealed, but we can chose how long and to what extent secrets rule our lives. Is pride causing you to live two lives? We are all one secret away.
There truly is no motivation outside of self. The question is, how do my selfish actions effect others? Is my selfish choice mutually beneficial or detrimental?There truly is no motivation outside of self. The question is, how do my selfish actions effect others? Is my selfish choice mutually beneficial or detrimental?
ReplyDeleteWhat about parents? Do you think that their only motivation is self? Aren't forgiveness and love acts of selflessness? If I act out of self and it just happens to be beneficial, or if I am kind to someone so they will give me what I want is it really love? I'm not saying it is common, but isn't it possible?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure it is possible. When a parent does something to benefit their child, the parent may have to make a sacrifice, but they parent also gets several benefits... the good feeling of knowing they are doing their best for their child, a sort of ego boost. I love my daughter. And when I make a choice to put her needs or wants above mine I still get a residual from it. I get a smile from her that makes my sacrifice seem menial. Or I get the knowledge that she will hopefully turn into a better adjusted adult than I am, or I even at times get the benefit of her distraction while I take care of other things I need to do. Even Jesus suffered the cross because of the joy set before him. God created man for his own glory. I don't think it makes love any less meaningful if it is love with a benefit in return, whether that benefit comes back from the object of our love or from side effects of our love. It is still love. There cannot be effect without cause. Love is an effect, not a cause. Love in the most basic definition is to do good toward... something, someone, even yourself. When people do good to themselves, or others, or for a cause; the sacrifice might seem to outweigh he reward, but there is always reward. The one sacrificing can be the only one to judge the value of the return.
ReplyDeleteIn Matthew 5, Jesus talks about love in this way: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Here he seems to point out that love for our own benefit is less meaningful. Yes, God created man for his glory, but he also gave him freewill so he could experience true love. God knew that some would reject him. God still loved those who rejected him, which is why he sent his son (John 3:16). Now regarding the cross, Hebrews 12:2 says, "For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." What was the joy? It was not for what he received in return, nor was it for any kind of reward. The joy was what he would do for others . . . even if they continued to reject his sacrifice. True, Jesus was seated at the right hand of the Father, but isn't that where he belonged?
ReplyDeleteOn a separate matter, is love effect? If so, than that would negate the idea of creation being an act of love. Marriage or commitment of any kind does not result in love, rather love motivates one to commit to another. Why did God send his so, beCAUSE he so loved . . .