abundance
A month ago I blogged with my mind in the depths of the Congolese jungle while I pulled myself away from the pages of the Poisonwood Bible. It's been a long month, and at many times a hard one, but in the end it has taught me something. At least that is my hope. Regardless of the lessons from the past month, I have been struck recently by a story from the Poisonwood Bible that had stood out at the time, but had been buried by all the others.
Hidden within the culture upheaval and the independence and then American sponsored military coup is the story of a village hunt. All of the villagers partake in the hunt, including the white missionary family in their midst, and when the animals are killed and the carcasses are brought together, a celebration would have been tradition. However, the conflict of skin tone and privilege takes what was once a joyous celebration of abundance and turns it into a competition of scarcity. The village families fight over the bounty, and in the end what should have been more than enough for all is barely enough for anyone.
Two days ago I sat in the parking lot as part of a circle of lawn chairs and small plastic chairs dragged from the church basement and shared my lunch with others. I hadn't even brought lunch for myself, but had relied on my Aunt to provide for me. And the lunch she had packed for two, well it fed three, and then the salad was passed around and fed many, many more. I watched as others, who had not planned to stay, were found a chair, a plate, and then a share of the food that individuals had packed for themselves. The feeling of plenty increased as more and more food was shared.
Two stories, from two different continents and almost a reversal of ideals. But they both highlight the possibility of abundance, and get me to thinking about how abundance, instead of scarcity, can fill all of our lives.
If we were to share everything instead of hoarding, what would that do to our lives? How would that change us? And how can I live and spread the ideas of abundance without being stupid and wasting what I have?
Prayers and Peace
Hidden within the culture upheaval and the independence and then American sponsored military coup is the story of a village hunt. All of the villagers partake in the hunt, including the white missionary family in their midst, and when the animals are killed and the carcasses are brought together, a celebration would have been tradition. However, the conflict of skin tone and privilege takes what was once a joyous celebration of abundance and turns it into a competition of scarcity. The village families fight over the bounty, and in the end what should have been more than enough for all is barely enough for anyone.
Two days ago I sat in the parking lot as part of a circle of lawn chairs and small plastic chairs dragged from the church basement and shared my lunch with others. I hadn't even brought lunch for myself, but had relied on my Aunt to provide for me. And the lunch she had packed for two, well it fed three, and then the salad was passed around and fed many, many more. I watched as others, who had not planned to stay, were found a chair, a plate, and then a share of the food that individuals had packed for themselves. The feeling of plenty increased as more and more food was shared.
Two stories, from two different continents and almost a reversal of ideals. But they both highlight the possibility of abundance, and get me to thinking about how abundance, instead of scarcity, can fill all of our lives.
If we were to share everything instead of hoarding, what would that do to our lives? How would that change us? And how can I live and spread the ideas of abundance without being stupid and wasting what I have?
Prayers and Peace
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