It began as a passionate perspective that many in the gathering visibly resonated with. Yet in short order the speaker became more angry, more vitriolic, and more self focused. So much so that the crowd became increasingly uncomfortable if not irritated as the presenting issue became diluted to personal grandstanding. It was clear to everyone the speaker was solely focused on their own self interest rather than the greater good.
Pioneering social reformer Jane Addams offers this helpful lens, “The good we secure for ourselves is precarious and uncertain until it is secured for all of us and incorporated into our common life.” I find this perspective provides a good ‘gut check’ when I get fired up about a particular issue. Am I approaching the issue myopically or am I taking a longer, larger view? Am I stating my perspective in a way that suggests I am also speaking for others when in fact I am only sharing my opinion? Is the greater good on my radar?
Adopting a greater good muscle takes work. It is in many respects a counter culture narrative. So much of the messaging that comes our way, even those that encourage good, are often primarily focused on the individual rather than greater community. And frankly it also often requires a level of sacrifice. Am I willing to not have everything go the way I want so others can also get at least part of what they would like? As my long time friend, colleague and mentor George Werner would say, “A community is a place where everybody gets something and nobody gets everything.”
This heavy lift of establishing a greater good mentality is, of course, nothing new. The early followers of Jesus often had sharp elbows trying to promote themselves for better seats and a higher status. That certainly seems to be the case with the folks in the faith community in Philippi as Paul writes, “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” (Philippians 2:3-4).
I believe Jane Addams is right, securing the good for ourselves is precarious and most likely not sustainable. Yet when we focus our efforts on the greater good of the community there is a much higher likelihood that all of our lives will be positively impacted.
“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” – Martin Luther King Jr.
BP