by Sean Graham
Why do we do the things we do? This is one of the key questions in life. What propels us to build relationships, choose vocations, be generous or selfish, receive or reject ideas, people or groups? The question that lies behind all of these decisions is one of the most haunting and revealing questions in life: “Why do I do the things I do?”
Having served in many communities and environments, I have noticed that the propellant that mobilises people doesn’t always create what they hope for. In our community, we have discovered that we are a growing Transformation Network. This Transformation Network is all about justice and compassion. Whenever people step into the realm of serving and loving others who are experiencing great injustice and lack of compassion, it becomes critically important that we identify the type of propellant motivating and actuating our behaviours. Sadly, what I have often found is that the offence of injustice becomes a fire stirred by a powerful anger. This anger at injustice is a natural response and evidence of compassion, but anger, when it becomes a propellant, doesn’t produce spiritual transformation in a positive light. Anger produces spiritual transformation in a negative way. The result is we only become angrier and angrier. When anger is our propellant, the oppressor becomes the object of our guile. We accidentally find ourselves in the seat of judge, and if only we could dole out justice. The problem is the oppressor is human, just like us. Anger can blind anyone to our common humanity. We can make monsters out of anybody, but every being is child of the most-high God. Every being is precious.
There is another option on the realm of propellants, and that is love. But love is not something we conjure or control. It is something we receive and steward. God being the source of love empowers us to love everyone, whilst pursuing justice. She allows us to embrace the oppressor as human and precious, while at the same time advocating and serving the oppressed as worthy of justice. It is often hard to identify the source of our propellant behind our actions. This is why in our community we lay down the challenge in our statements that our Transformation Network will be propelled by love. Just as the Kingdom of God is propelled by God’s love for all humanity and expressed in the Gospel of justice, compassion and grace. Here are a few questions for you to ponder today:
1. When was the last time you experienced the reception of God’s love for yourself and for others?
2. Can you identify the source of your propellant. Is it anger? Is it selfishness? Is it sadness? Or is it love?
If we are honest, I believe we all vacillate between a number of propellants.
The question of the day is, “Why do I do the things I do?” If you serve in the realms of justice - justice for the marginalised and oppressed - do you serve from a source of love, or has anger become a fire that is shrinking your soul by accident?
Prayer for the day: God cause me to be propelled by love.