We See the Speck in Others

There is no skill in seeing the flaws in others. This is true of us in our individual relationships, and in the 'us' that is part of groups. I see the flaws in my spouse more readily than I do in me, and I see the flaws in other families, more readily than I do in mine.

As Christians, we are no different. We see trends in the world that are a movement away from God, before we see these trends in ourselves. Individualism is a case in point. The people of this world define themselves by their choices – we call this identity politics.

Authors Alan Jamieson and Bishop Justin Duckworth separate out four different streams of individualism (The italics are their words). As I recount this list, try to reflect on where you might fall prone to this current idol.

Consumerism – I get whatever I want whenever I want it. If I have the means and desire, nothing should get in the way of my possessing the thing I have chosen. I have a right to….

Careerism – I put my career first. My career progression is an expression of me. It is a place where I find actualisation and achieve a sense of accomplishment and pride.

Commutism – I travel, live and relate where I want when I want. The types of holidays we expect and take for granted are well beyond those of our grandparents. We expect devices will facilitate relationships with our chosen networks, avoiding the need to relate to those with whom we share physical proximity - people who are unlike us.

Compartmentalism – I live my life in separate places to protect myself. Privacy laws and expectations mean we can be one person in one space, and a different person in another, and not expect those spaces to cross-contaminate.

In my experience, these four facets of individualism are as alive and well inside the church as outside. What is more, each of them in some way works against authentic experiences of church, kingdom, and organic mission in our local context.

Is there a log in you/our eye we might need to deal with here?

By Rev. David Rietveld