Self-Centered Christians

Sometimes I have a very hard time claiming Christianity. Not because I am embarrassed about following Jesus, but because I am embarrassed by the PR of Christians as a group. There are some of you I love to identify with--those of you out there fighting for good things in big and small ways.

But then I see the name of Christ being commandeered for political or national prowess. Or I watch people proud to call themselves Christians publicly, but appear to have no concern for the way their luxurious lives oppress those who create them. The gain is not ethical. There are Christians who seem unaware of and unconcerned about the generational effect of building a nation on the backs of enslaved people.

There are Christians who don't even notice their use of single-use plastics quietly polluting the oceans, killing sealife and destroying the environment and economy of poorer nations. There are Christians who can't be bothered to support the wages of hardworking service industry employees who cook for and feed them lunch. There are Christians who tout protection for women while discreetly disempowering them.

Non-believers notice this self-centeredness. They see it and want nothing to do the god we profess to follow. Our behavior is not good news to them.

I realize even writing this is hypocritical. There are undoubtably ignorant ways I am also harming the world around me. I am not faultless. I'm writing it because I also need to do better. Every day. Part of me doing better is holding myself and you accountable.

Following Jesus is following Him into healing the world around us. Self-centered Christianity should be an oxymoron. The good news is that we are set free to heal. We are no longer chained to our past sins and condemned to repeat our mistakes. We are free to operate counter-culturally when cultural values are oppressive. We don't have to live in fear or self-protection or self-glory. We don't have to live self-centeredly. Open your eyes, in what ways can you be lifting the world up?