It has recently become very apparent to me just how self-centered this generation is. We are considered to be the most socially conscious generation thus far, but why? Why do we do the things we do and give money and support to charities of our own choosing?
This generation has been dubbed one of a need for instant gratification. We live in a now-world. We want things the minute we ask for them and if we have to wait, we are dissatisfied or even angry. While this is the case, we have also become known as one that gives back. We give back to the earth, to people who inspire us, to the underprivileged. We recycle anything and everything. We are clad in various organizations and charities that we support, as if almost branded by them.
I am included in this. I currently have an Ovarian Cancer National Alliance bracelet on my keychain and a TOMS bracelet on my wrist. I am often seen wearing T-shirts in support of mission trips or homelessness awareness.
Why do I wear these things? Is it so that others will see what a good person I am and how I am involved in giving back? Or is there another reason why I am constantly a walking billboard for various causes that I believe in?
I'm not saying that it's a bad thing to support these philanthropies, I'm just questioning motives. Over the past week, I have been mulling over this thought. Tuesday was TOMS "One Day Without Shoes" and while I did participate, I contemplated my reasoning. Personally, I am a huge fan of TOMS and what they stand for. If you don't know, they are a for-profit organization that for every pair of shoes sold, they give one to a child in need. (if you want to read more, go here: http://www.toms.com/our-movement/). Throughout the day, I received confused looks from passersby and even a couple of questions in regards to my sanity and/or judgement. Whenever I got questions about my barefeet, I briefly told the questioner about TOMS and their fight to bring awareness to what children without shoes have to suffer through every day. At the end of the day, my feet were covered in dirt and various other elements that they had encountered throughout the day and they ached everytime I took a step. But with every aching step, was a reminder to myself about how stinking privileged I am and I don't even realize it sometimes. My feet aren't used to walking miles on hot concrete and asphalt, over sticks and gravel. I usually have shoes that protect me against all of that.-- Here's where my eyes were opened-- Days like this, the "One Day Without Shoes", aren't so much for raising awareness within our peers or those surrounding us as much as it is about raising awareness within ourselves and giving us a wake-up call. There are way more important things in the world than little ole me or you. I'm just being real.
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| example of an old pair of shoes that a child had before they received their TOMS |
I know a lot of people don't agree with TOMS campaigns, for one reason or another. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I'm not going to go into a whole tirade about that- I'll save it for another day. But, whether or not you think that this is the most effective means to solving a problem or not, they are doing something to help. They reach their target market effectively, and people who wouldn't normally drop a few Hamiltons in another philanthropy's jar are now helping stop the spread of diseases and increasing the quality of life for many people.
Challenge: Take a step back and examine why you do the things you do. Is it for self promotion, to look like a good person in the eyes of those around you? Or is it to enhance the quality of life for those around you who are less fortunate?
This is a great example of what we should be like. Job had it harder than any of us could ever imagine, yet this was his attitude. We have it better than the majority of the people on the planet, who are we to stick our noses up at those who don't look like we do or give our attention to our iPods and ignore the world around us? Jesus didn't condemn the poor, why then do we feel as if we have any right to hate an organization that is trying to love and lift up those that are deemed unlovable by many.
JOB 29:11-16
11 Whoever heard me spoke well of me,
and those who saw me commended me,
12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me;
I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing;
justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of the stranger.
and those who saw me commended me,
12 because I rescued the poor who cried for help,
and the fatherless who had none to assist them.
13 The one who was dying blessed me;
I made the widow’s heart sing.
14 I put on righteousness as my clothing;
justice was my robe and my turban.
15 I was eyes to the blind
and feet to the lame.
16 I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of the stranger.
Don't do it for the praise of the world, do it because of love for the Father.
*Sara
