Words from the Office
I wonder if you agree that we are privileged—each of us, in one way or another—regardless of how many or how few assets we possess. The United States is a nation marked by deep flaws—what the hymn “Amazing Grace” calls “dangers, toils, and snares.” To deny that is silly. Yet, as true as that is, a significant upside still exists with all the privileges we enjoy.
In his Inaugural Address on January 20, 1953, President Dwight D. Eisenhower remarked, “A people that values its privileges above its principles soon loses both.” Privileges have a rightful place in human life, but they can also be easily hoarded, idolized, or even discounted.
Take, for instance, something as mundane as being a picky eater. That, too, is a form of privilege when you stop and think about it. I, for one, don’t like pickles. I’ve never even tried cottage cheese—it just looks too spooky to me. Alien food is what I call it. And you probably already know I steer clear of raspberries, sushi, and that little green friend called wasabi! As far as I am concerned, beef liver is straight from the devil. I also think watermelon tastes horrible and almonds are the worst nut known to mankind.
Plus—and I know this sounds strange—I don’t even like water all that much. Now, I am trying to improve my daily intake because I know that’s important, so please pray for me. But I still don’t like it. With the recommended age for one’s first colonoscopy dropping to 45, last year, my doctor told me I to schedule mine for this summer. I will spare you the details, but the preparation is the worst. It involves drinking what, to someone like me, feels like an ocean’s worth of water while fasting for 24 hours.
In the end, the procedure went fine and all, which I am grateful for. But when forcing down all that water, I couldn’t help but recognize the sad absurdity of my struggle. It is such a privileged, first-world kind of problem. There are people in the world (and surely some in our country) who would give anything for access to the clean water I was struggling to stomach—water as a gift that I definitely take for granted.
Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). It’s as simple as that. This is not a call to guilt, but to stewardship. If I can’t be honest about the privileges I enjoy—or refuse to use them for the good of others—then pride is likely governing my heart.
For the record, privilege is not defined by being a billionaire, professional athlete, movie star, CEO, successful entertainment lawyer, or a trust fund baby. No matter our socioeconomic status, we all have our own forms of entitlement. Think about it the next time you enjoy not just shelter, but safe, reliable shelter; not just food, but food you like; not just water, but water in abundance.
I pray the Holy Spirit will stir thankfulness within you and move you toward a commitment to help others access what you so easily enjoy. God can do a lot with a little, especially when it comes from a “broken and contrite heart” (Ps 51:17). Our friend, Dr. Kory Plockmeyer of Movement West Michigan, will be preaching the next two Sundays. Maybe you can ask him what creature comforts he holds dear.
