Crisis, Community & Resisting A Culture Of Consumption
Ten years ago Manitoba was hit by such an intense flood from the overflowing Red River it has become known to locals as “The Flood Of The Century”. The province suffered waters of 7.5 m deep, causing 28,000 people to be evacuated and $500 million of damage. Even Winnipeg, despite the millions spent on flood protection, was almost completely overwhelmed. In the face of such widespread destruction only one other aspect of the flood captured peoples attention more- the incredible solidarity and generosity that people across Canada & the US- but especially Manitobans- demonstrated in response.
Time & again, we see this incredible human response to crisis and suffering, such as in the 2004 tsunami, hurricane Katrina and the increasingly promising response to the HIV/AIDS crisis throughout the continent of Africa. Despite the realities of human weakness and failings, people seem to increasingly demonstrate their commitment to the greater good, especially when there is nothing in it from them.
Now, I am not suggesting that crisis and suffering should be a strategy for human unity and service, nor that they are, in themselves, effective foundations to build such generosity. However, we cannot ignore the two significant common factors- first, that we have no end to very immediate and critical human suffering across the street and around the world; and second, that there is an exponential power and impact when people collectively rise up to face such challenges.
This is why we so desperately need to confront the culture of comfort and entitlement that we are fed from the cradle to the grave. While I could argue that, intrinsically this culture is flawed, even if it were a valid lifestyle to pursue I believe it to run entirely contrary to the very heart of the life Christ led and called us to follow without consideration of the cost. In fact, in the words of Bonhoeffer, when Christ bids us follow, he bids us come and die.
The beauty is that, as we resist the self-serving lifestyle the world tells us is our right, we begin to not only discover God’s purposes, but we also begin to discover each other. Suddenly the limitations that seemed to hold us back from truly making a difference fade away through the collective and collaborative power of true community. The solidarity we see in the face to these major disasters does not have to be a rare and fleeting experience, but a way of life born out of shared purpose and love.
While we are beginning to see this disconnect between a culture that teaches us to insulate and isolate ourselves from discomfort and a Christ that calls us into a glorious hope through suffering and sacrafice, have we really gone far enough? How many of us are truly willing to ask the difficult questions about how and where we live; what and why we do what we do; and all the other questions that Gospel demands? Are we willing to make the changes that could cost us our financial security, hard earned comforts and even family safety to follow Christ?
I hope so.
