Lunch With A Friend…
So, I had lunch with a friend this past week. He’s someone that I don’t see that often anymore, maybe about once a month, but we both make an intentional effort to stay connected.
I really enjoy his company, even though we don’t always see eye to eye on everything. The fact is that he has significantly more education than I do in theological matters (he’s almost finished with a doctoral program!), but we are able to respect each others differences, and I know that our differences stretch me, and I hope they do the same for him.
Anyway, I’ve recently come to some conclusions concerning generosity…it’s sort of like generosity on a radical level, and we talked about that a little bit over lunch. We talked about a variety of other things as well, and enjoyed some fantastic Bread Basket food (for those of you who don’t live in Auburn Indiana…you are sorely missing out. They have the best sandwiches and soups.) and overall just had a good time.
When it came time to leave, I picked up the check and started to get up. My friend asked how much his part was, and I said, really without even thinking about it, “Don’t worry about it.”
He sat back down and looked at me kind of funny. Then, after a pause, he said, “I’m really glad you picked up the check.” He went on to say that he has been listening to me talk about radical generosity and was wondering, all the way through lunch, if I was all talk, or if I was going to put some kind of action behind my proclaimed beliefs.
He stopped me cold in my tracks. I didn’t know what to say. The fact is that I was humbled. It had not even occurred to me that picking up the check was an act of generosity. It just seemed like the natural thing to do, and I really wanted to do it…not for anything he could give me, or for any sort of a sense of fulfillment, or even to be able to say that I did it. It just…seemed natural.
Please don’t think I am tooting my own horn, or even trying to do such a thing! I spent the rest of the day thinking about what true generosity is. How many times have I been generous without realizing it? How many times have I been selfish without realizing it? Furthermore, why was I expressing this generosity towards my friend? What were my motives and intentions? Was I glorifying God with my actions?
The fact is that this moment has caused me to step back and completely reevaluate my relationship with God, the creator. Is He oozing out of me? Do I love people because of my love for Him? Is my generosity an expression of His love, or just empty humanitarianism? Am I proud of the things I do, or am I humble?
September 1st, 2008 |
Greetings and keep your chin up, and kindly do not give out my email: Feel free to visit and learn much more: http://el-shaddai-dad.blogspot.com/ .
In revelations, elations, excitations, and edification to One and ALL “Alpha/Omega Lord of Lords, King of Kings and God of Gods” with reproof that he has arisen in the Bread of Life and that none have listened to his words, neither sought his counsel nor have followed his ways. Ezekiel 33-37, Rev. 10 “Thou Art Being Weighted In Thy Balance”: Seven words of thunder.
Blessings of the Ages, Noe the hour and day. Eel: ???: Everlasting O’EVErlasting™, Psalms 29©
Blessings of the Ages, all is well in Love and Peace: Noe the hour and day. Eel: ???: Everlasting O’EVErlasting™, Psalms 29©
Lift-up Thy CUP thy VOice and dew visit read and teach all ye nations: Bowl ye heavens and rain down righteousness.
I AM that I AM, the Ancient of Days.
December 11th, 2007 |
Dustin those are some great questions you ask! And, no, you certainly did not overstep your bounds. I welcome the critique (so long as it is done in love).
I’m considering the impact of this moment on my life right now, so it would be a bad thing for me to share some of my answers, as they aren’t fully formed. And, furthermore, it is very true that some of those answers remain personal and private between myself and God.
Having said that, I want to share two things:
1. I’ve also read Shane Claiborne’s book, and I’m not certain where I stand on what he has to say. I do think that he gives a good critique on the current state of the church, but I’m not sure that I can agree with the idea of social justice. Suffice it to say that I would rather see God’s justice done far more than simple social justice. And, yes, God’s justice includes a significant amount of social justice…maybe I should turn this into a blog post of it’s own…
2. I’m heavily involved in several Missions and soup kitchens in DeKalb County. I’m also involved in several other volunteer projects that help people in need obtain clothing, childcare, medical assistance, and a plethora of other things. All of this is done with the attitude that it is something Christ encouraged us to do. These are hands-on opportunities, where everyone involved is directly in contact with people in need. One of the primary, driving forces behind each of these projects is building relationships with people and sharing Christ’s love. Some of them have financial needs, some emotional, and many have spiritual needs. Dustin, and anyone else out there, if you are serious about feeding the hungry and clothing the naked and caring for the sick (for starters) I would encourage you to get involved in some of these organizations. Put some action behind your belief. And if you need info on where to go, let me know (jeremiah@jeremiahotis.com) and I’ll be super happy to get you in touch with whomever you need to talk to in order to get started.
Frankly, I know of more than 100 opportunities in Auburn alone, not to mention Garrett and the rest of DeKalb county!
December 10th, 2007 |
those are interesting questions. i’m reading shane claiborne’s book, the irresistible revolution, and he talks about this very thing.
as christians, our love of people should be greater than the love for ourselves, and therefore we should (if we’re doing it right) always want to do things that take away from us and give to others. its not a successful lifestyle, in any way, but it SURE IS FULFILLING. also, the bible says that God will bless you for it, so dont worry that you aren’t going to get anywhere in life. if He takes care of the least of the sparrows, he will take care of His selfless followers.
i wonder, though, jeremiah, and i’m sure you do as well, would you have taken the bill if it wasn’t your friend? or what if it wasnt your meal?
[forgive me if i overstep my bounds as this is just a comment, but follow me here..]
didn’t jesus say to feed the hungry? to clothe the naked? care for the sick? of course he did! .. but how many have YOU fed? how many have YOU clothed? how many have died in YOUR arms?
this is something that we can only answer for ourselves. and dont tell people your answers, just remember: this is what jesus commanded.
i will say that I HAVE NOT FED THEM. i haven’t even MET a homeless person. but i will, rest assured. in fact, i am rearranging my life right now. i realized last week that i am not doing what i was called to do and i am starting now.
what are you called to do?
what are you doing about it?