Last summer I was on a summer project in Santa Cruz, CA. God was my first priority there and I was reminded of it daily. I was surrounded by 62 other college students who all wanted one thing, to grow closer to God and glorify him. We worked, but only to spread God's love to coworkers. Everything we did was a mission and everywhere we went was our mission field. It was the greatest summer of my life and I grew more than I ever thought I could.
Now this summer God has kept me in Knoxville. I dont see my roommates and I dont have many friends here. I have hardly any close Christian fellowship and my family is at home. I am alone. I work full time at a job I usually complain about. I waste most of my time watching tv and reading books. Most of the time so far I am pitying myself or wondering why this had to be my summer while my friends got to go off and do exciting things.
This isnt meant to be a "woe is me" rant. This is just what it is. This is the situation I was given, but its up to me to choose my attitude about it. The Bible tells us to "Rejoice in the Lord always". Well for me during this summer, that has not been an easy task. Last summer I was handed everything, I was supported on all sides, it was almost easy. This summer I have to grow, and this summer I have to do it on my own.
So far I haven't done a great job but I hope I can turn it around and not look back on these 3 months as a summer wasted. Everywhere is our mission field, that means Knoxville, TN for me, and I shouldnt have to be on a summer project or in another city or country to think that. The Bible also says, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". People in Knoxville need the Gospel just as much as those overseas.
Its easy to say these things, but I pray that I will really start to live them out. We are given time and opportunities, but it is our choice what we do with them. Life is short and I want to make the most of it. Because really "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes", and I want to make my life count for something more than me.
Prayers are always appreciated.
God Bless
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June 18, 2010
April 15, 2010
What are ethics?
It’s a simple enough question, but its really much more than that. It’s also something I wouldn’t have really thought much about until my human resources class today. We were told to write the definition of what we thought ethics were. I wrote “a set of beliefs and values a person has that helps them determine their own definition of what is right”.
Merriam-Webster defines ethic as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation”, “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values”, and “a guiding philosophy”
So if that’s what ethics are then how do we come to know them? Are they learned or intuitive or situational? As children, we begin to learn ethics, from our families, schools, and religious affiliations. We are taught what is right and wrong, but eventually we grow up and learn that everything in no longer black and white, and instead there is a lot of gray. Throughout high school and college we are making our own decisions about what is right and wrong.
This means ethics become situational. We were asked if everyone has the same ethics, which to me seems like a stupid question, because everyone has different experiences that help them develop the values and ethics they have. So if everyone’s ethics are different then does that mean some are “better” or more “right” than others. That is where the conflict lies. Think about what happens with people disagree over ethics and morals. Remember when some people thought slavery was okay and others didn’t? Wars are created from differences in morals.
I think that to “stand firm” in your morals means sticking up for what you believe is right. But what happens when that’s not what someone else believes is right. I don’t think that we are required to agree with everyone’s morals, we won’t. But instead it’s more important to at least try and understand why they feel that way. Understanding why someone is the way they are makes us a lot more likely to be tolerant. I’m not saying we have to be tolerant of everything, but next time someone does something you don’t agree don’t start off with judgment, instead ask them about it. Is it really our place to judge? Are we even able to always stick to our own morals?
One girl in my class said “stealing is wrong, but what if you have to steal medicine for your child to keep them alive”. How wrong is it then? We don’t always know the circumstances behind everything, but the more we do know, the more we will understand that person.
In my life, the things that determined my morals started with my parents and my upbringing. Being raised in a middle class, white, Christian home in the south defines much of who I am. But above this, the biggest influence of my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ my savior and all that it means for my life. That is what defines my view of right and wrong.
Merriam-Webster defines ethic as “the discipline dealing with what is good and bad and with moral duty and obligation”, “a set of moral principles: a theory or system of moral values”, and “a guiding philosophy”
So if that’s what ethics are then how do we come to know them? Are they learned or intuitive or situational? As children, we begin to learn ethics, from our families, schools, and religious affiliations. We are taught what is right and wrong, but eventually we grow up and learn that everything in no longer black and white, and instead there is a lot of gray. Throughout high school and college we are making our own decisions about what is right and wrong.
This means ethics become situational. We were asked if everyone has the same ethics, which to me seems like a stupid question, because everyone has different experiences that help them develop the values and ethics they have. So if everyone’s ethics are different then does that mean some are “better” or more “right” than others. That is where the conflict lies. Think about what happens with people disagree over ethics and morals. Remember when some people thought slavery was okay and others didn’t? Wars are created from differences in morals.
I think that to “stand firm” in your morals means sticking up for what you believe is right. But what happens when that’s not what someone else believes is right. I don’t think that we are required to agree with everyone’s morals, we won’t. But instead it’s more important to at least try and understand why they feel that way. Understanding why someone is the way they are makes us a lot more likely to be tolerant. I’m not saying we have to be tolerant of everything, but next time someone does something you don’t agree don’t start off with judgment, instead ask them about it. Is it really our place to judge? Are we even able to always stick to our own morals?
One girl in my class said “stealing is wrong, but what if you have to steal medicine for your child to keep them alive”. How wrong is it then? We don’t always know the circumstances behind everything, but the more we do know, the more we will understand that person.
In my life, the things that determined my morals started with my parents and my upbringing. Being raised in a middle class, white, Christian home in the south defines much of who I am. But above this, the biggest influence of my life is my relationship with Jesus Christ my savior and all that it means for my life. That is what defines my view of right and wrong.
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