In
my last post, “Life Isn’t a Greenhouse” 9/26/18, I started looking at how each
of us navigates life when conditions are less than ideal or even extremely
difficult. Even though life is very blessed (if we’re looking at the good
things and not fixated on the bad) and the benefits are bountiful (Psalm 103),
we frequently find ourselves facing very hard things. My experience is that the
blessings and difficulties of life most often occur in the same season. Life is
never ‘all good’ nor ‘all bad.’ Rather than becoming dominated by the hard
things, to the point of discouragement or disobedience, it is important for us
to understand how to continue to move forward in our daily lives.
“Obedience”
is a common word. Most of us likely assume that we know what it means. The
Oxford Dictionary provides the following definition: “Compliance with
an order, request, or law or submission to another's authority.” That definition
contains several words that may elicit a strong internal reaction: compliance, submission, and authority.
It
seems like in our world today, obedience has been reduced to agreement. If I agree with the order,
request, or law (using the words in the above definition), then, and only then,
will I obey. If I don’t agree, I will resist or rebel. If I think there is a
better way, or I have alternative idea, I will argue my point, sometimes very
aggressively.
Have
you noticed there’s a lot of ‘attitude’ in our world today? “Don’t tell me what
to do!” “I’ll live the way I want to live” and “You don’t control me.”
Personally, I don’t see these attitudes making things better, even for those
who hold them. I believe the opposite is true.
The
Dutch researcher, Geert Hofstede, has done an extensive study of the six
factors distinguishing cultures around the world. One of the factors is INDIVIDUALISM. It may or may not
surprise you that the United States is
ranked as the most individualistic
nation in the world, of the 66 countries studied. While there may be ways
to ‘spin’ this as a positive characteristic, there is a significant downside to
living with an individualistic mindset.
I
have observed two ways individualism impacts obedience:
One,
people obey to the degree that it benefits them personally. That is what
happens when we are controlled by individualism. Sayings, such as: “Do you” or “Get
yours” or “It’s my right” are far too frequently the mantras we hear today.
Two,
people obey when the feel like it. Emotions,
far more than any type of moral or truth-based values, influence obedience. Emotion-based obedience is dangerous because our emotions so frequently change.
In
Hofstede’s study, COLLECTIVISM is the
contrasting characteristic to individualism. As I understand it, the general
idea of collectivism is to seek the common good. The Central American country
of Guatemala excels in this quality. It is the idea of thinking of others, and
not just oneself.
In
my next post we will continue to explore obedience, submission, and control. It’s
possible there is a better way to live, a better mindset in which to experience
life, than what you have previously known and practiced.
IDEA:
Ask the Lord to show you someone you can serve today. I’m thinking about an
expressed kindness. You get bonus points if your serving includes both word and
deed (say something and do something). If you’re going through a difficult
time, choose two people. I believe it will make a difference in your mindset.
