Fighting a Long Defeat

You have probably heard the phrase "garbage in, garbage out". Depending on the application and the context, this phrase will probably be appropriate. The phrase implies that what you put into something is what you are going to get out out it, assuming we all agree on the definition of garbage. On a bad day, you can apply this kind of outlook to people and view others as useful or wasteful. However, on a good day people have this amazing ability to help turn the ugly into the redeemed. For instance, Mother Theresa began a legacy for children living in the slums. And the leaders of organizations like World Vision, Compassion International, the Salvation Army, Prison Fellowship, and every Gospel Mission in the US are bringing hope to those in need. Everyday, people are taking up the causes of so-called "garbage" and are finding redemption for those who need it most.

For me, as a follower of Jesus Christ, I am challenged daily to find truth in the "garbage in - garbage out" perspective. While the voices of this world proclaim confidence in self, wealth, image, and popularity, I am called to a life of service, hope, love and truth. I am called to evaluate all things in light of a singular truth, not subjective post-modernism. This truth is God's truth. He loves us and desires us to know Him. In telling you this, I believe our time on this earth ought to represent a battle for truth and love rather than a resume of fleeting successes. What is truly important in this life, is what matters most.

Recently, I read an article titled "The Long Defeat" written by Sara Groves. She references life's true struggle stating that " "the long defeat" is not a pessimistic outlook, but rather a challenge to our culture's success-driven worldview. The difference between a cost-effective business model and the long defeat is that the conviction lies at the heart of the action, not the success of the action itself. There are many losing battles worth investing in, simply because winning is not the point".

Why do we fight, if not to win? We are called to fight for the lost, the poor, the orphaned, the widowed. We should seek to bring value to those that the world would view as worthless. We need care for those that are dying. To fight for wisdom and understanding in a world driven by alternative means. In this life it is essential to fight for our convictions and the leadings of our heart. We fight for what is right because we must and if we do not, then we have failed. In the Band of Brothers miniseries, that tells the story of a group of airborne solders during WWII, there is a title of one of episodes called "Why we fight". The episode brings purpose for the war as the US soldiers stumble upon a concentration camp with imprisoned Jews. If you have seen this series, words cannot describe what is captured on film when the soldiers free the prisoners from the concentration camp. Having never served in any branch of the military, I tread lightly in trying to explain the sacrifices of a soldier, but I can think of few things with as much value than giving your life for a person unknown, in hopes of a greater good. These are sacrifices to do what is right and is a call that we must recognize.

But how do you measure success to know how to live and fight for what is right? What does living rightly feel like? My answers at this point lay in the temperature of my heart and the actions of my life. Firstly, is the measurement of your heart. What is your heart's color and tenderness; it's humility, sensitivities, grace, strength, courage, mercy and openness? Secondly, is the measurement of the things we do, not in the sense of accomplishments but simple plain-jane actions. Things like how we spend our time, how we think, how we talk to others, what we read; what we do and react to.

Not all things are black and white in their comparisons, but many decisions give us opportunity to choose the right thing. And sometimes, the right thing will look awkward in the eyes of the world. Right doesn't always mean the most logical. In fact, these kinds of decisions seem foolish in the eyes of the world. For instance, not taking a job for the money but for it's purpose. Or volunteering time and money to a charity that helps the homeless or low-income, or at-risk youth, knowing that homelessness will never go away. How about parents who choose to raise a child that has physical or developmental disabilities. Serving in the military. Something for a higher purpose and calling. The outcome is not always the measurement we ought to live by. Sometimes, there is no outcome. Sometimes, it is simply service regardless of the profession. Many worthwhile causes exist without world-approved benchmarks. More important than popularity is our response, our reactions, our sacrifice. Rather, as Sara Groves writes so very well, "as it turns out, in each of these cases, what looks like defeat - what even sometimes ends in defeat - can only be judged in the light of eternity"

I believe that nothing is wasted outside of God's judgment. Our choices, our thoughts, our actions, and our time all carry eternal value. People matter most, and our call is to care for them all with love regardless of the end result. Our best efforts are all that we give.