Being a Good Person

I think we all know that this Christian journey is about so much more than simply being a "good person." However, lately, I've been struck by the great need for Christians to be good people. Over the last several weeks, it seems like I've daily come across Scriptures that remind me to be kind, gentle, patient, compassionate, loving, forgiving, generous, and the list goes on and on.

One of the things that stands out most is the call to be abundant in good deeds. We're to be on the look out for opportunities to do good...not just for ourselves, but for others. Yet, it seems like everything in our consumer-driven, individualistic society stands against doing good.

Last night, I was reading a passage in Eric Schlosser's book Fast Food Nation that made me think about our "religion." He was writing about Peter Lowe, a guy that puts on "success" seminars. He brings in big name speakers...Colin Powel, Barbara Bush, Christopher Reeve, Henry Kissinger, Charlton Heston, George Bush. Hmm, I wonder if this Peter Lowe is a conservative evangelical???

Anyway, all of the speakers give messages about how to better our lives...to become successful, which I guess means to be wealthy. Peter Lowe, whose parents were missionaries, extends a call for salvation at the end of one of his talks. The author has this take on Lowe's religion...

"Lowe has broken from the Christianity of his parents, a faith that now seems hopelessly out of date. The meek shall no longer inherit the earth; the go-getters will get it and everything that goes with it. The Christ who went among the poor, the sick, the downtrodden, among lepers and prostitutes, clearly had no marketing savvy. He has been transfigured into a latter-day entrepreneur, the greatest superstar salesperson of all time, who built a multinational outfit from scratch. Lowe speaks to the crowd about mercy. But the worship of selling and of celebrity infuses his literature, his guest lists, his radio shows and seminars. 'Don't network haphazardly,' Lowe preaches in his $19.95 Peter Lowe's Success Yearbook. 'Set goals to meet key people. Imagine yourself talking to them. Plan in advance what questions to ask them...When there is an important individual you want to network with, be prepared to say something insightful to them that shows you're aware of their achievements...Everyone loves to receive a present. It's hard to be resistant or standoffish to someone who has just given you a nice gift...Adopt the attitude of a superstar...Smile. A smile tells people you like them, are interested in them! What an appealing message to send!' These are the teachings of his gospel, the good news that fills arenas and sells cassettes."

The author goes on to add in something that Christopher Reeve said at one of these success seminars that sort of cut through and silenced the crowd. "I've had to leave the physical world,' Reeve says. A stillness falls upon the arena; the place is silent during every pause. 'By the time I was twenty-four, I was making millions,' he continues. 'I was pretty pleased with myself...I was selfish and neglected my family...Since my accident, I've been realizing...that success means something quite different.' Members of the audience start to weep. 'I see people who achieve these conventional goals,' he says in a mild, even tone, 'None of it matters.'"

I think Reeve learned that you can be a successful person. But, if you don't realize that this life is about more than gaining success, celebrity, and power than it is all worthless.

I just found this all to be interesting.