A people without a vision shall perish. (Prov. 29:18)

What kind of vision?

As individuals and as nations we are locked in a struggle. As individuals it is between our selfish animal nature and our thinking-and-feeling spiritual nature. As nations it is between the common good and injustice. Each one of us must make a choice as to which of these ends we will serve.

Our own selfish natures urge us to choose short-sighted means and ends determined by self-interest. If this is our vision, then our children and grandchildren are doomed to death, suffering, and extinction. Social disintegration and environmental destruction will result. 

There is another way: we can choose to give ourselves to the spirit of love and compassion where all life is nurtured. We must put others, not ourselves, first. In this vision lies our true being and destiny. We are more than materialistic “greedy grunters.”

Walt Kelly’s cartoon character Pogo said, “We have met the enemy, and he is us!” The vision we live for should not divide the world into “good guys” and “bad guys.” The line between good and evil runs down the middle of each human being, including you and me. Life’s problems, including those that confront nations, affect us all and are not beyond our individual responsibility. They have to do with everyone. That is why each one of us must choose the vision we want to live and die for.

Listen to the song, “No Man is an Island.” It echoes a profound truth and points the way. “No man is an island. No man stands alone. Each man’s joy is joy to me. Each man’s tears are my own.”

This is a vision worth living and dying for. It leads us to shared values, shared goals, shared effort, respect for each other, shared sacrifice, and shared benefits.  It also pulls us out of our fearful self-isolation. It is, in fact, the result of loving God with all “your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as you love yourself.” God’s way is love—we are made to be there for each other, not just for ourselves.

For this reason Jesus didn’t tell the Pharisees or his disciples to pass more laws. The Jews already had laws and rules for everything. His command was more profound; live by the spirit of the law, even more, by the spirit of God’s love. No wonder the first Christians were not bound or manipulated by any ideological labels such as “capitalism” or “socialism.” They were gripped by love.

What does the vision of love mean in practical terms? It means denying the false gospel of self-interest. It means living our lives for the common good. People, not possessions or profits, will become our highest value.  We will care for each other so that each person will have meaningful work and access to affordable health care. We will ensure that people live and work in non-toxic and sustainable environments. In other words, we will value each other without the measure of material success.

There is a cost to realizing this vision. It all comes back to a choice: Either we live for ourselves and what satisfies our fleshly desires or we live for the well-being of others. The first alternative may secure material comfort, but it leads to isolation, fear, and relational bankruptcy. The reward of serving others, however, may not be the American dream of economic prosperity, but it leads to a life full of meaning and human fellowship. To fight against egotism and selfishness is a hard fight, but it is the right fight!

One might think that this vision of love is not practical, although it sounds good. Apart from faith and the power of Christ’s love it is indeed unrealizable. But with God it is both practical and possible. I know, for I have lived in such a community for over fifty years. As imperfect as it is, it is a daily celebration of life, community, creativity, and fulfillment. I know of no other vision worth living for.

 

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Your Turn. Tell us what you thought about this article:

Responses

Jesus said we are to forgive our brother( fellow Christian) 7 x 77 times a day. I often wondered was this applicable for the same thing. I had better pray for patience and fortitude then.

Overcoming self is an ongoing choice daily. However many times we fall we may always come back to our Lord and work along side of Him for our own soul's salvation first and then from the abundance of Graces we have been showered with for another.

Connie Tarling

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I have visited your communities over the years, and especially on my last visit, this is what stood out to me. Through God's grace the vision has kept on passing from one generation to the next. This same fact became powerfully evident in all of your young people that have come to spend time with us.  You may have many critics, and for sure have made your share of mistakes. But as long as this spiritual regeneration keeps taking place there is life, there is hope, our work in Christ is not in vain. 

May the Lord help us to live and believe -- and love in his Spirit -- more and more!

Peter Hoover
Tasmania, Australia