Just Another Valentines Day: LOVE!

Happy Valentines Day!

I know, I would appear to be into super cliche blog subjects. In fact, I was sitting here trying to write a sarcastic tweet about the bountiful-ness of Valentine blogs when I thought to myself, hmmm, I could add my own thoughts to this word dump. They might not be brilliant, but then, not many of the things I've read today have been. Here goes:

I read a lot of blogs today. They all had some advice to give. Most of this advice can be summed up in this: If you have a significant other, good for you, if you don't, use this day to pamper yourself.

You don't have to tell me to love myself.
You don't have to tell me to buy myself chocolate.

I already do those things.
I already put myself first.

Thanks for the suggestions but I don't think buying myself chocolate is going to solve any problems.

You see, whether my self-esteem is low or high, I don't have to put an effort into putting myself first.

Problems (sins) don't bloom because we're so busy loving others, but they definitely grow because we're so busy loving ourselves.

'Me-Thinking' and the 'Do what makes you happy' philosophy are exactly what will occur if I choose to love myself in the way you're suggesting. It might be okay for one February 14th, but if I'm honest, there is no way that it will just stop after one day. These things are satisfying and enjoyable... at least for a little while, but they wont last.

Sex-trafficking.
Abortion.
Divorce.

So many forms of brokenness occur as the result of us loving only ourselves and forgetting that we need to love others.

I was talking with a friend last week and made the comment that when I look back on the past couple years I can see that many of my decisions were made because I thought they would make me happy. This was not a positive realization for me so her reaction took me by surprise. She congratulated me. Yeah, way to go me, give a big ol cheer for selfishness.

No. Guys, we seriously need to stop acting like selfishness is a good thing.

It's not okay.

Singleness is not an excuse.

Happy Valentines Day!

Motivation (UB#4)

Motivation.

Living well in a different place requires sacrifice. Nothing necessarily monumental, but it means being the one who takes the first step. That doesn’t come naturally to me… it doesn’t come naturally to most people. Where does the motivation to do this come from? Where should it come from? Since being here I’ve found it difficult to step into friendships with Ugandans. I didn’t want to make the sacrifice that is required for ‘cross-cultural’ friendship because my only motivation was my own satisfaction. I wanted to leave here knowing I had friends here… but I didn’t want much more. I think that motivation is changing. A few of the on-campus American students have decided to read through Thessalonians over the course of our time here and yesterday as we were reading the first chapter this verse stuck out to me:

“We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 1:3).

work produced by faith

labor prompted by love

endurance inspired by hope

I must put my own desires on the shelf and seek faith, love, and hope, that out of these things friendships are made and bridges built. My selfishness will not get me where I want to go… and it isn’t helping anybody else out either.

Falling in Love (UB#3)

When I said I was going to write a blog post on love I got a few strange looks. So just to clarify, I’m not about to write about a Ugandan guy (or a North American guy J). This is about the concept of falling love with a culture, a place, a group of people. Before coming here I was told I would fall in love with Africa. And, being naïve, I kinda thought that meant I would walk out of the airport into Uganda, and then I would never want to leave. Turns out it just isn’t that easy. I don’t feel ‘in love’ with this place. Yes, the rolling hills have on occasion captured my attention, up to this point, there have been moments of true appreciation, but nothing I would call love. Maybe this love is something that has to grow out of that appreciation. People say that when you fall in love, the character of the man slowly begins to overshadow his physical appearance. I do not yet know the true character of Uganda. I don’t know the heart of this country, the passion of the people, their sense of humour, or even the things that drive daily life here. I hope I fall in love, but even if I don't, I am thankful for this opportunity to grow in my appreciation for another way of life. I am grateful for this opportunity to find out where home is. I’m grateful that this is forcing me to learn about my own heart.