These Things, I’m Thankful For
April 5th, 2006 6
We watched the Constant Gardener last Tuesday night, which Paul told me was called the Uphill Gardener so really didn’t want to watch it. For those who haven’t seen it, I really would recommend giving it a go, I’m not going to bother explaining the plot (you can read about it on imdb if you’re really that interested) but suffice to say it’s set in Africa, and shows in no uncertain terms the sometimes brutal existence that people live.
The film catalyzed me into writing about something I’ve been thinking about for the last few weeks: How privileged I am.
When McClegg got back from India, he had lots of stories about the absolute poverty that people find themselves in. I can’t even begin to imagine living that life, the gulf between my luxury existence and the hand-to-mouth living that many of this world’s inhabitants endure is almost insurmountable.
As the old saying goes…
It could be worse
…and yes indeed it could be a lot worse. So this got me thinking about “accident” of birth. Is it pure chance that you are born into the family and circumstances you have? Does God control it? If so, it may seem a little unfair that I’m enjoying my decadent life while there are people suffering all over the world from a variety of different evils. I guess we could look at the “big” picture and say that everyone is dying, and the only purpose of this life is to drive us closer to our maker / the answers / any other generic thing that we as a species seek on a day-to-day basis.
I’ll admit, I don’t have the first idea. So over to you guys, no pressure, but I’m relying on you to give me a definitive answer to this…
6 Comments (+0 in the moderation queue).
#1 On April 5th, 2006 at 9:44 am Ross said...
If we live for a reason, then we need to find the personal reason why we live. If we were chosen to be born in a location, then the reason why we live in that location has something to do with the reason why we live. Does that make any sense, I think I have a concept in my head, I am just struggling to explain it. Should have paid more attention in English at school I suppose.
Anyway, if you want to get really scared about the world we live in, read “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” Which basically explains how America use debt to exploit 3rd world countries by pretending to help them
#2 On April 5th, 2006 at 11:37 am Kris said...
Surely there quite simply has to be bad things in the world in order for us to appreciate the good.
For example how could we ever appreciate that great feeling of seeing someone if we hadn’t experienced that pain of missing them.
Or the sense of overwhelming relief of a loved one surviving a near fatal accident if we had not ever been touched or bared witness to the pain of loosing someone close
Without bad things in the world, there would be no good. Every feeling needs an opposite in order to exist otherwise we would all be walking around like emotionless zombies.
#3 On April 5th, 2006 at 11:39 am Starberri said...
There IS no definitive answer Jon. But it’s weird. If you could see how truly content some of the people in abject poverty are, compared to the depression, anxiety and stress in our country and other affluent countries, I think that might get you thinking some more…
Which I guess isn’t what you want
#4 On April 5th, 2006 at 9:02 pm clegganator said...
When those people die, it makes us feel bad and that we should do osmething to stop it. This is making us strive towards a better good. Summon Bonum. We do these good things and although many people may die, the generations afterwards would live. The greatest good for the greatest number.
So i think
#5 On April 6th, 2006 at 10:18 am Matt said...
The fact that i have been placed in my family for a very good reason has always been one thing that i am very sure of. I think it is the same for everyone.
As Starberri has said when you visit people who have nothing they are often the happiest, most grateful and generous people you will meet. Thats when it hits me. These people will be the first in heaven. I am having my reward here. They will have it there.
God has entrusted me with this good life and with it comes a great responsibility to use it in a sacrificial way. That is hard. I’m only just beggining to realise that having nothing and seeing everything you gain as a joy could well be better than having everything and being asked to give it up.
#6 On April 13th, 2006 at 6:28 pm Dominique said...
so much truth here
keep thinking peeps, this is good