Superiority can stink . . .

Judges 19; Psalms 3–4; Jeremiah 33; Acts 23

The college professor calls it ethnocentrism when we evaluate other cultures according to preconceptions based on the standards and customs of our own culture. This attitude came out in a book called “The Ugly American” but as disgusting as it is, we all do it in varying degrees. It goes by other terms, like racism and prejudice, favoritism and plain old pride and snobbery. This is not love.

I first noticed in myself when realizing I thought people of third world countries lacked the same IQ as ‘my people’ — which is utter nonsense. I also notice it these days when I hear others talk as if people who live in poverty cannot possibly be happy, as if being happy depends on having money and lots of possessions like they do. This is not love.

Consider revered Jewish King David. Before he became king was a shepherd. His brothers mocked him. Later, as an aide to King Saul, he became a fugitive living off the land. At some point in his life, he pointed that others thought material wealth was necessary to happiness and prayed, “You have put more joy in my heart than they have when their grain and wine abound.” (Psalm 4:7) He understood where joy came from.

I’ve been poor. There was a time when I had a mere $7 a week for groceries, back in the day when food was cheaper than it is now, but it was not enough for me and my two youngsters. My parents usually did my shopping and they usually tossed in a few extras. A neighbor put deer in my freezer using my hunting license. We ate a lot of macaroni and cheese. But we were happy. I remember this to remind myself that money and stuff does give me more happiness than those without it.

The same goes for skin color. I’ve been to parts of the world where people who are not white are extremely happy and other places where they never smile. Life, peace and joy are not about race, culture or money even though many people are certain these are linked and cannot find happiness otherwise.

A quick scan of Ecclesiastes reminds me that God is the source of any ability to enjoy life, regardless of what life is like. The author says: “Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 5:19) For this, I am so thankful!

Today, my thoughts are wrapped around the explosion in Beirut yesterday and what this is doing to thousands of survivors. I cannot imagine their horror at the surreal devastation around them. Like 9-11, I need to stay away from the television news and yet the knots tighten thinking about these people and their losses. Far away yet feeling just a small bit of what they feel and hurting for them. Are those who know the Lord able to lean on Him as their refuge and shelter in this? How can anyone say negative things about this other culture as if we are better because we are safer or smarter? This is not love.

The story in Acts 23 illustrates the power of God to help whoever relies on Him. Paul was arrested and appeared before his accusers. God told him, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” Paul was a Jew with Roman citizenship, yet ethnocentrism about his race and religion could have been his downfall. However, the Roman tribune protected him and Paul did go to Rome, just as God said. Without the grace of God, he would have been murdered on the way by those who considered him inferior and worthless because of his beliefs. The world is filled with others who died because someone else considered themselves better. This is not love.

APPLY: Right now there are thousands crying for unity, fair treatment, respect and the abolishment of racism and other ethnocentric activities. The OT convinces me that right actions can be legislated but laws do not make good hearts nor create love. Pride and sin prevail without the power of God to forgive and to change lives and enable us to love others. I need Jesus to give me a right attitude toward all people and all people need Jesus to give them a loving attitude toward their fellow human beings. Surface change does not last; it must begin in a deeper place.