Imagine (the Cost)

Dare I ask . . . Can you imagine a better world?

I’d be willing to bet most people could imaginatively create a world that is the slightest bit better than the one we currently live. After all, if a cosmos could exist identical to the current one but absent dead puppies; would not that one be in some sense better than this one? Of course. Alas, our poor puppies are dying and the world remains the same.

When you really think about it though there is nothing daring about asking people imagine better worlds. Most people have notions of ways in which the world would be different (e.g. less crime, more prosperity, etc.), and these things would ultimately be considered improvements on our current state. Some go so far as to use their influence to legislate their notions of worldly betterness. Isn’t that really the task that governments, churches, businesses, colleges, organizations, community groups, etc. are seeking? A better world. And if not the whole world maybe just their own neck of the woods.

Unfortunately, there is global truth that often times work to circumvent every worldly improvement we seek, namely; the more things change the more they stay the same. None of our modern ideals (including the pre-, and post-modern ones), have rid the world of its numerous ailments. So if change is really only a sign of stagnation, what good does imagining a better world do anyone? As fatalistic as this sounds, it brings to question whether there is a greater determining factor that damns the societal flow of progress, and I dare to postulate one theory of damnation: we expect change to occur at no expense, no cost, no sacrifice. Allow me to explain . . .

I am sad to say (at least in writing) that my dear friend Mr. Beck has it all wrong; justice and charity are not synonymous terms. Justice is not accomplished through charitable donations; how can it? Charity is always given at an arm’s length. It is transactional, and fortunately tax-deductible, but what change does it offer? More specifically, what justice does it impose? None, because charity comes at no sacrifice.

But isn’t the action of giving money a sacrifice in itself? Perhaps, but if after securing my comfortable life, I cast the remaining crumbs at the feet of others; what cost is there in that? My convicted heart says none, and if I were honest with my own life, all my charitable efforts haven’t made a lick of difference, brought about any change, caused any justice. My charity has only accomplished a sense of righteousness in my own heart.

On a systemic level, imposing costly change on others is tantamount to socialism, but this is not what I’m purporting here; think small, tiny, microcosmically. One man showed us the way in which change is inaugurated in creation; the Incarnate God, Jesus Christ. Yet Christ’s coming was far from revealing God’s charitable contributions to humanity, Jesus came at great cost. Christ’s divine life was poured out so that taking on human flesh, he may experience death on a cross, but the final word was God’s glory through the resurrection. This is the greatest word of change heard in history.

So the question goes beyond imaginative speculation and asks, what am I willing to give up to change the world according to how God imagines it? My answer thus far has been that I will give my time and money but hands off my way of life, God. I have been deceived by my own self-significance in giving to others that I have neglected to consider the way in which God loves his people. His love was not at a distance, but up-close, personal, and costly.

In knowing the revealed truth of Jesus Christ that change is costly, I cautiously consider the lack of implications this has in our contemporary Christian life. Why is it that God rarely asks us Christians to live in smaller homes, to take in strangers, or to not buy new cars (or a Ford Ranger in my case), tv’s, gizmos, and other devices that increase our sense of security and comfort? My guess is that our/my comfort makes change unlikely either within the Christian community or in greater society, but I cannot ignore the truth of God that change will cost comfort. In clinging to my comfort, I loose my grip on the idea of change in my own life and/or in the lives of others.

I truly want the world to be a better place, and I am more aware than ever that the change needed to make room for improvement may come at the cost of my very own life. I pray that when the call finally comes, God gives me the strength to lay down my life for the sake of His Kingdom.