For too long my outwardly expressed ideals have been defined as a series of nots. I am not a member of the religious right. I am not giving my money to a church that turns around and spends it on its members. I am not supporting an economy that ignores the poor. Yes, these nots are important in venting my frustration and identifying with others who are also dissatisfied with similar things (not the best matter on which to base a friendship), however, they are not getting anything done. I've spent my life in the negative for way too long waiting for others to show me how to positively live out the alternatives to things I am opposed. Without actively engaging in a positive construction of an alternative I am only complaining and I am probably making things worse.
Don’t get me wrong I have been a part of some very positive things at with Jason and Brooke’s church, and also at the Sharp’s House but for the most part in these groups I feel I have left the constructing to others. When left on my own, I am all talk. Why is that?
So, in order to keep this blog from becoming another not (what I am not doing well) I want to brainstorm ways to translate these negatives into positive ways to live out the kingdom that I have seen or thought of. So here goes:
- Buy nothing day = make something day
- Not buying from sweat shops = buying from co-op, sweat-free clothing companies, union made clothing
- Hating corporate America = becoming a teacher and educating kids about it
- Frustration about the wealth gap:
- Locally = volunteering at Bread of Life (they need volunteers for the winter (760) 722 0800
- Nationwide = donate to poor college students
- Abroad = contribute to third world, or find out about people trying to change the system that perpetuates the gap
- Hating yourself = sit in the company of those who don’t (friends, parents, Him)
It’s a short list but it is a step towards making a positive contribution to the kingdom feel free to comment with additions or call and we’ll talk.
4 comments:
Cheers! What an inspiration!
those are great ideas Matt. Love you man.
Good stuff Matt. However, with regard to hating corporate America ... are you sure you hate it? After all, those corporate folk make the computers we are using, the clothes we wear, the lightbulbs we see by, the cars we drive, and even the shoes on our feet.
Are there no other ways to turn that "hate" into a positive other than to educate children about this "hate"?
Keep up the good work
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