This blog is usually more like a journal than a diary. We write a little bit about what we're up to and what we're doing, but very seldom about what we're thinking or feeling. That's okay, there are other forums for the "diary" stuff. But I read an article yesterday that really made me think and I think that my thoughts and feelings on this topic are appropriate here. So here goes...
matt
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Remember Physics class? Remember how, while sometimes the math was hard, that the concepts were never tricky? Somehow in your mind, you always knew that when you dropped something, it fell faster and faster until it hit the ground. You always knew that the strength of a collision was a factor of how big and how fast the objects in the collision were. You always knew that you could push things easier across a smooth surface than a rough one. You just didn't always have the words or the math to prove it.
Well, now we have a study that has the same impact on the spiritual realm. http://www.livescience.com/humanbiology/070216_genocide_interest.html
You see, it turns out that we are not that compassionate. We get no more emotional "tug" from the death of 88 people than we do from 87 (to use an example from the article).
I'm a missionary. I live and work in Guatemala, a very poor country. If I were a compassionate person, I would lay awake at night worrying about the thousands of people within a few miles of my house who are hurting and wonder how I could help them. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I sleep just fine.
At the end of a clinic week, when I'm tired, a patient could come in with a story that SHOULD bring me to tears and sometimes the only thing I can think about is how fast I can get to my hot shower and my comfortable bed.
This is really no surprise to Christians. We know we're not that compassionate. We know we're not that patient. We know we're not that kind. We have someone to compare ourselves to. Jesus DEFINED compassion, patience, and kindness. We have nothing more than mere shadows of such virtues.
Those of you out there who think you're going to heaven because you're such a good person better think again. Do you think you're REALLY compassionate? Do you think you're REALLY kind? Do you think you're REALLY good? There IS a stairway to heaven but none of us are man enough to climb it. You actually CAN earn your way to heaven, in theory. All you have to do is to be perfect. Read the article. If you admit that it's true, and you really have to, you'll see how far we are from true perfection.
We're truly broken inside, even if it doesn't always feel that way. We need Jesus, even if we won't always admit it. We know it to be true, we just don't always have the words or the math to go with it. Kinda like gravity.
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2 comments:
Maybe humans just cannot psychologically handle much tragedy, and as the scale of it increases, they dial it down mentally and emotionally to remain stable. But then, if it becomes up close and personal, some step out of their comfort zone, like Houston did when all of the Katrina evacuees arrived at our doorstep. Another twist is that we cheer when tragedy happens to the "bad guys". Like dropping bombs on terrorists, or in times past destroying as many North Vietnamese, Nazis, or Japanese as possible, for example Hiroshima, pick your war.
good stuff. thanks for this and for the talk while getting high off of oil based paint in san andres... good times. seriously though, thanks for the "diary" blog... glad to hear that God is moving so much in you, and us as you sahre it with us. see you guys in a few days... katie
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