The Election, Your Spirituality, & the Soul of our Nation #6: Sacrifice
A second key to your spiritual equilibrium, and frankly being a better person, in addition to humility, is the whole reality of sacrifice – which is also a second key to the healing of the soul of the nation. Here is where politics has severely damaged the spiritual life, yet hopefully not beyond the possibility of healing.
Sacrifice. Instead of clinging to what is profitable to me, or grabbing for more for me, I cheerfully take less, or nothing; I even give up what is precious to me for the good of the other. My earliest childhood political memory was of John F. Kennedy, in his inaugural address, pressing the people to “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” Thrilling. Hopeful.
And vanished from the landscape of political life – and, as I tend to worry, even from our lives as Christians. Try running on that platform today. Laughable. Politicians pander, always. Here’s what I’ll do for you. Don’t vote for him or her, because he or she will favor other people instead of you! We Boo such a possibility – but Jesus would cheer.
Yes, to be a follower of Jesus, I ask, in my life and in politics, not What can I get out of it? or What maximizes more for me? but What’s good for the others? What will you do especially for the needy, the disenfranchised, those hurting and without a voice?
Our Founding Fathers assumed we would always be the kind of people who would do without so others could have; we would do whatever was required, not for my good, but for the good of others. How disappointed would they be in us? How disappointed is Jesus in us?
Politics feeds self-interest, not self-giving. We forget that self-interest, beyond hallowing blatant selfishness, has an underbelly: we feel sorry for ourselves, we feel things are unfair, we believe we are victims. So much self-pity, blame, and a sense of entitlement, and anger. Even the wealthy whine. We want more, more, for me, me, and less to nothing for the others.
“Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country” is empowering, as is Jesus’ message of love, sacrifice, noble sharing, making do with less so others have more. In Jesus’ realm, you’re happier if others are happier; you’re unhappier if just you are happy. Self-pity is shoved aside for positive engagement. Blame is punted so we might take responsibility. We love our neighbors – not those who are like or agree with us, but those who are struggling, who are different, who don’t have a leg to stand on. I’ll happily, giddily do without so they can have more.
Jesus didn’t pray, God, what will you do for me? but instead prayed Not my will but your will be done. He gave his life for others, for us – and invited each one of us into a life of being part of his Body, not a private beneficiary of blessing, but one member among many seeking the dawning of God’s good kingdom. Could this be Christianity’s great gift to American society – a shunning of self-interest, and a recovery of joyful sacrifice for the greater good?