Epidemic of Kindness

Malcolm Gladwell writes in his book, The Tipping Point, “epidemics are a function of the people who transmit infectious agents, the infectious agent itself, and the environment in which the infectious agent is operating.  And when an epidemic tips, when it is jolted out of equilibrium, it tips because something has happened, some change has occurred in one (or two or three) of those areas.”  (p.19)

Kindness may not seem like an appropriate topic to discuss in connection with the term “epidemic”.  Epidemics are usually associated with contagious diseases.  Let me suggest we view kindness as something contagious.  Whenever you are the recipient of an act of kindness you are automatically inclined to duplicate it.  Kindness seems to breed kindness.  It is contagious.

So how do we create a kindness epidemic?  Gladwell’s suggests the three key ingredients to an epidemic are the contagion – in this case kindness; the people who transmit it – in this case you and me; and the environment in which it exists – in this case your world and mine.  My simple mind tells me I can definitely play a part in the “transmission” element.  But can one person stimulate an epidemic?  If something changes in me Gladwell suggests that it is possible.  It would be much easier,however, if you joined me.

Gladwell’s book is filled with illustrations of how a very few people created an epidemic of one sort or another.  Little things, few people, can make all the difference he believes.  Do we believe the same?

What a different world this would be if an epidemic of kindness broke out.  I have twice challenged my congregation to consider MADness.  Making A Difference in the life of someone.  Maybe we cannot be everything to everyone.  Today we could be something to someone.

I will do my part.  Care to join me?

A Culture of Fear

I recently attended a conference where the speaker identified our current culture as a “Culture of Fear”.  He maintained fear is an act of worship.  We give power and/or authority to that which we fear.  People are searching for security.  They want to feel safe and be safe.  Without that sense of security they empower what they fear.  Terrorist hold sway over our way of life.  The economy creates a gnawing sense of anxiety.  Nature is beyond our control and cruel.  People cannot be depended upon as reliable.  What are we to do? 

Terrorism is effective only if we fear.  In a year of political campaigning we will hear much about terrorism and its threat.  How can we be safe?  Where can we be safe?  Proposed answers to these questions will motivate voters.

Gasoline prices continue to rise and so do the other staples of life.  Our politicians will tell us who to blame for this.  They will propose ideas on how to reverse this.  They will tap into our fears of economic instability.  They will promise us answers.  We will believe almost anything they tell us if it will calm our fears…even temporarily.

The forces of nature have recently demonstrated their power over human life in Myanmar and China.  We fear what we cannot control.  Nature is clearly beyond our control.  What will happen next? Where will it happen?  Who can keep us safe?

Divorce, domestic violence, abuse, indifference to suffering, isolation, and selfishness are growing realities in our culture.  These and other painful realities remind us that our relationships are far more fragile than we would like to admit.  Those who are so essential to our safety and happiness may turn and hurt us, leave us, or grow distant and detached.  How can we prevent this?  How can we ensure stability?  Our fear merely accelerates our relational failure as we mistakenly feel the need to use people to fill our needs while we can, rather than love them and seek their fulfillment.

Fear motivates or paralyzes us.  We worship what we fear or that which we believe can conquer what we fear.  Throughout the Scripture God calls us to action…not paralysis.  He empowers us by committing to go with us.  We are not alone.  Therefore, we are not powerless.  God’s power is greater than anything we fear and God’s love motivates Him to use that power on our behalf.  Do we believe that?

If we believe God to be with us, if we believe He has the power to defend and deliver us, then why are a culture of fear?  Why aren’t we a culture of faith?

End of an Era?

A wise oil minister from Saudi Arabia once advised a gathering of OPEC ministers to learn the lessons of history.  He commented that the Stone Age did not come to an end for lack of stone.  Instead man discovered the ability to manufacture and manipulate metal.  The Iron Age did not come to end for lack of iron ore.  Instead Man discovered how to manufacture steel.  He cautioned the Oil Age will not come to an end for lack of oil.  Instead rising prices will force global economies to search for alternative fuels and resources.  Today’s fuel price crisis appears to make this observation quite prophetic.

Many have referred to the current era as the Christian Era.  Christianity has been a major force in shaping human history in this era.  Will this influence, this era, come to an end due to a lack of Christians?  Will this influence, this era, come to an end because humanity finds a better answer, a greater influence, a more satisfying philosophy?  I understand from Scripture that there will not be a “lack of Christians” prior to Christ’s return.  The Christian Era will not end due to a lack of Christians.  Will humanity find a “better answer”?  I do not believe a better answer can be found.  So I profoundly answer: NO!

Will the Christian Era end?  Possibly, yes it might.  Why?  I believe our influence is waning because we are assimilating into the world’s culture.  While we have historically been “in” the world, we are called by Christ (John 17) not to be “of” the world.  Instead we are to be sanctified (set apart, made different or unique from the world) by the Word of God.  Our effort to influence or save a world has led us to become too worldly.  If what we offer the world through Christ appears to be so similar to what they know and experience already, why change?  Why listen?  Why be influenced?  If our message seems to create so little “difference” in our lives from theirs, why bother?

What is necessary is for the Church to repent of its worldliness and return to the Word for  sanctification.  I am not arguing for a return to the practices or forms of an earlier time in the Church.  I am arguing for spiritual maturity and holiness (the root of the Hebrew word is to be separate or unique).  We can impact the culture, reach the culture, and influence the culture without joining the culture’s values or being seduced to its sinfulness.  Christians need to become Biblical again.  If the truth sets men free from bondage, we must remember Jesus words, “Thy Word is Truth”.  John 17:17.