Making the World a Better Place--Revisited

Making the World a Better Place—Revisited

Micah 6:6-8

In what can only be called a serendipitous moment, a quote came across my desk this week that raised again the issue of making the world a better place.  It’s from the 20^th century writer and philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, who said, “Life has no meaning a priori.   It is up to you to give it a meaning, and value is nothing but the meaning you choose.”

For those of you not familiar with philosophic jargon, a priori means something that can be deduced rather than that which can be observed.  In other words, we can’t understand the meaning of life by trying to reason it out.  We can only understand what life is all about by living it ourselves and observing others as they live their lives.

Fair enough.  Sitting in a chair somewhere, off by oneself, trying to figure out the meaning of life doesn’t sound like much fun anyway.  Much better to be living life and seeking to understand it as we experience it.

Sartre says it is up to each of us to give life meaning.  That makes sense, since, as we look at the people around us, we can see that different lives have different meanings.  Each person gives value to life (again, Sartre) by what he/she chooses for that life’s meaning.  This would explain why some lives seem to have more value than others, at least from our point of view.

Last week we examined Paul’s list of fruits of the Spirit in the letter he wrote to the church at Galatia.  Remember?  Paul mentioned love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.  It seems to me that putting this list into practice gives our life meaning by making the world better for others.  Our lives improve as we extend ourselves in Christ’s service.  I know there are many self-centered people who would consider that approach nonsense.  For them life is all about taking what they can, being as comfortable as possible, and enjoying life to the fullest by placing themselves at the center of their own universe.  That is not what God would have us do.

Let’s look at the words of another great philosopher, the singer/songwriter Dolly Parton.

Think of your fellow man, lend him a helping hand

Put a little love in your heart

You see, it’s getting late, oh, please don’t hesitate

Put a little love in your heart

And the world will be a better place

And the world will be a better place for you and me

You just wait and see

Put a little love in your heart.

            If some people ridicule us for our naïve attitude, we can say, “Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”  Those who have given their lives in service to others are invariably more fulfilled and joy-filled than those who haven’t.  If you haven’t tried it, not only don’t knock it, but give it a try.  You’ll be amazed at the difference it will make in you, in your attitude, and the way others relate and react to you.

            The prophet Micah had the same idea in mind as he neared the end of his sacred writing.  He let the people know that God was not happy with those who lived lives of selfish pleasure, then tried to make it up to God through meaningless religious practices.  Micah knew that God would have none of that.  He made it very clear what God expected—no, required. 

            “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” 

Justice.  Kindness.  Humility.  Sounds like a summary of Paul’s list.  If we listen to Paul and Micah—and Dolly Parton—we will not only please God, and demonstrate that the Holy Spirit is working in us, but we’ll make the world a better place for everyone—just wait and see.