CRABS IN A BARREL
Being stuck at home under the current circumstances; in my boredom, searching for movies on Netflix this afternoon, I came upon one called Joy Road. This movie depicted the inner city of Detroit. Physically-speaking, it was pretty dead-on, as Detroit is struggling against the odds the odds these days and it vividly portrayed it streets. However, I think it rather unfairly gave the impression that the people of Detroit have a more destructive (and self-destructive) mentality than the rest of our society; some of the warmest and best people I've come to know hail from Detroit's inner city. As I watched the movie, I kept thinking two things: one, a better name would have been Crabs in a Barrel and two, what was depicted is a cancer that exists all over our society--including our churches. It is simply selfishness and greed manifested overtly and violently. In our churches and in politically correct settings, it is simply done by less obvious means, but the destruction is just as pervasive; although not as apparent. Similarly, though, the blame is misplaced on those who have been victimized rather than on those who are responsible for inflicting the injustice.
As I watched Crabs in a Barrel, (pardon me) Joy Road, I saw that "spirit" of selfishness--manifest itself in the same way. The only difference was those in the inner city were in your face about it. They had no problem stating what they would do if you crossed them, or what they were into "the life" for; and they were willing to pay the price for their decisions, and often did. It was all about getting what they wanted. Just as in real life, the only people who hide what they are really about, are those who wear the corporate suits, and "support" the fundraisers for the inner-city programs, when in reality it is just a way for recognition or a means to another end. Motives matter. Some of us, simply don't realize that why we do what we do matters as much as what we do. In the movie, the same people who were working to destroy the inner city in a massive way, spent (in comparison) a small amount to paint a picture of generosity and goodwill toward it--for their own purposes.
Sometimes we forget--even in church, that we are to "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." The Amplified Version of Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others." As I look around, and even in my own experiences, I think this message has been largely missed by us. I sincerely believe we fail to grasp the reality of the way the New Testament Church was conceived--and how it thrived; and why today, our churches don't thrive, spiritually. We may thrive financially, tangibly, and in a business-sense, but the spirit is lacking and souls are suffering--and not being added to the church, as they ought to be. Something is missing. The early church thrived in extreme opposition simply because they loved, and supported one another. They did "Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another." (Romans 12:10, AMP). They were a family, the family of God, and they behaved as such, and the church grew in spite of extreme persecution. It couldn't be stopped; the love was simply to attractive and powerful.
It amazes me, today, that many of us, not only sit in churches around the nation "blessed" abundantly with substance but we see our own brothers and sisters (right next to us in church, fellowshipping with us) in need, and "and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him". John writes, "how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." And, while we shut up our wealth and withhold it, many of us, boldly flaunt it before the world--and before those who have need. How is that compassionate? This was unheard of in the first days of Christianity--they were eager to give. The Macedonian saints, not rich themselves, gave out of their own poverty. They weren't perfect people--the early saints fell short time after time, and in many ways, but they had love "one to another"; and that is key. It is how they survived--it is the only way we will survive, too. Love isn't simply what we say, but it is what we do. Love has to extend itself, and be inconvenienced sometimes--it will put the needs of others first and foremost. There is no room for a crab in a barrel mentality.
How do crabs in a barrel behave? "When harvesting crab, the crab as a group will pull down any crab that starts to climb out of the barrel in an attempt to be the first out of the barrel that holds them in, hence crabs-in-a-barrel." That's a big problem in our communities--and it's a big problem in our churches, too. When we see God elevating someone, we often do whatever we can, whether out of fear, or jealousy, etc. to keep them down. Once upon a time a wise old Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in defense of Peter and the apostles saying, "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." God can fight His own battles--and ours, too. He can weed out tares. We destroy people, their reputations and their names--not for God, but in an attempt to promote or protect our own selves. If God is for us, we have no reason to behave like "crabs". He will fight for us (Exodus 14:14).
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." [2 Chronicles 7:14].
As I watched Crabs in a Barrel, (pardon me) Joy Road, I saw that "spirit" of selfishness--manifest itself in the same way. The only difference was those in the inner city were in your face about it. They had no problem stating what they would do if you crossed them, or what they were into "the life" for; and they were willing to pay the price for their decisions, and often did. It was all about getting what they wanted. Just as in real life, the only people who hide what they are really about, are those who wear the corporate suits, and "support" the fundraisers for the inner-city programs, when in reality it is just a way for recognition or a means to another end. Motives matter. Some of us, simply don't realize that why we do what we do matters as much as what we do. In the movie, the same people who were working to destroy the inner city in a massive way, spent (in comparison) a small amount to paint a picture of generosity and goodwill toward it--for their own purposes.
Sometimes we forget--even in church, that we are to "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." The Amplified Version of Philippians 2:4 says, "Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others." As I look around, and even in my own experiences, I think this message has been largely missed by us. I sincerely believe we fail to grasp the reality of the way the New Testament Church was conceived--and how it thrived; and why today, our churches don't thrive, spiritually. We may thrive financially, tangibly, and in a business-sense, but the spirit is lacking and souls are suffering--and not being added to the church, as they ought to be. Something is missing. The early church thrived in extreme opposition simply because they loved, and supported one another. They did "Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving precedence and showing honor to one another." (Romans 12:10, AMP). They were a family, the family of God, and they behaved as such, and the church grew in spite of extreme persecution. It couldn't be stopped; the love was simply to attractive and powerful.
It amazes me, today, that many of us, not only sit in churches around the nation "blessed" abundantly with substance but we see our own brothers and sisters (right next to us in church, fellowshipping with us) in need, and "and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him". John writes, "how dwelleth the love of God in him? My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth." And, while we shut up our wealth and withhold it, many of us, boldly flaunt it before the world--and before those who have need. How is that compassionate? This was unheard of in the first days of Christianity--they were eager to give. The Macedonian saints, not rich themselves, gave out of their own poverty. They weren't perfect people--the early saints fell short time after time, and in many ways, but they had love "one to another"; and that is key. It is how they survived--it is the only way we will survive, too. Love isn't simply what we say, but it is what we do. Love has to extend itself, and be inconvenienced sometimes--it will put the needs of others first and foremost. There is no room for a crab in a barrel mentality.
How do crabs in a barrel behave? "When harvesting crab, the crab as a group will pull down any crab that starts to climb out of the barrel in an attempt to be the first out of the barrel that holds them in, hence crabs-in-a-barrel." That's a big problem in our communities--and it's a big problem in our churches, too. When we see God elevating someone, we often do whatever we can, whether out of fear, or jealousy, etc. to keep them down. Once upon a time a wise old Pharisee named Gamaliel stood up in defense of Peter and the apostles saying, "Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought: But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God." God can fight His own battles--and ours, too. He can weed out tares. We destroy people, their reputations and their names--not for God, but in an attempt to promote or protect our own selves. If God is for us, we have no reason to behave like "crabs". He will fight for us (Exodus 14:14).
"If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." [2 Chronicles 7:14].
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