Social Cataclysm

There's a scene in the movie Hitch that takes place in a bar. It has something to do with two Grey Goose Martinis, a few terrible pick-up lines, and a certain "#@$% off" sign. I'm sure you remember this epic scene if you've seen the movie. I find it fascinating that Hitch could look across the room, and by simply observing the actions of the sardonic Sarah Melas, deduce exactly how to shut off her "sign" and pique her curiosity.

I've been told I wear that sign on occasion, too. I find that fascinating as well.

I love to observe people. As I'm sure you've already gathered from my previous post, as a child, I was extremely extroverted. As I've grown older, however, I've learned to keep my mouth shut and listen more. That simple action of listening apparently binds itself to a certain facial expression of mine that says, as mentioned, "$%#@ off." Unfortunately, that couldn't be further from the truth, but we'll save that discussion for another day.

A great friend to me on campus was kind enough to inform me of the sign I supposedly wear on my forehead during these times of observation. I apologize in advance to the reader if you've gathered this impression from me. If indeed you have felt my "gaze of impending doom", know that I was simply watching you as opposed to spurning you. But, I digress; back to the topic at hand.

My observations as of late, involving not only others but myself as well, is one of a gradually swelling social cataclysm, which someday in the near future can be expected to implode.

Selfishness. Oh, it's more than just the Sunday school word we've all rolled our eyes at at some point in time. We all believe we know exactly what selfishness is, where exactly it rears its ugly head, and how exactly we shouldn't exercise it. From what I've deduced, that is not only a vain and conceited thought, but the fruits of a way of thought.

To think that our eyes see everything is foolish. To think that we see all the "logs" relating to selfishness in our own eyes, or in others' eyes, is foolish. The fact of the matter is, is that we will never be able to count the number of ways one can act selfishly, especially when it pertains to relationships with others.

Consider these quotes:

"Selfishness is not living as one wishes to live; it is asking others to live as one wishes to live."

~Oscar Wilde

"One of the greatest diseases is to be nobody to anybody."

~ Mother Teresa

"The one who loves the least, controls the relationship."

~ Dr. Robert Anthony

Finally,

"The selfishness must be discovered and understood before it can be removed. It is powerless to remove itself, neither will it pass away of itself. Darkness ceases only when Light is introduced; so Ignorance can only be dispersed by Knowledge; Selfishness by Love."

~ James Allen

Learn to truly love- to love deep, to love wide, and to love lavishly. To love is to sacrifice your own desires, your own goals, your own dreams, your own opportunities, your own recognitions, for betterment of the ones around you.

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." - John 15:13

Many interpret this scripture in way that says, "die for a friend, and you'll truly know how to love." While this remains true, as Christ so graciously demonstrated, we miss the opportunity to exercise a kind of "death" in our everyday lives that nurtures love. Death to the self, to live for others. That is love. That is selflessness. That is servanthood.

That is Christ, the Man we are to strive to be like, and so epically fail.

The social cataclysm I see growing in our generation is craftily concealing itself in such subtleties, that they will cause division and strife. I urge the reader to examine the motives of their hearts in correlation with their relationships, and to pray for the insight to see their particular areas of selfishness. The devil is a crafty one, and I encourage you, the reader, to fight him on the "splinter" level, not just the "log" level.

Truly,

Riley

"Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own? Or how can you say to your brother, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," when there is a log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye." - Matthew 7:1-5