The Light of the World

Last week, we wrapped up class which means we will be presenting our grants to organizations at the end-of-semester reception in just a few short days! To echo what several others have said, this semester flew by so quickly. It is amazing when you step back and realize how much we have done in such a seemingly short period of time.

We had only one reading for class last week and I think it was my favorite of the semester. The chapter focused on the “Ethics and Metaphysics” of generosity and asks the reader a number of deep, thought-provoking questions. It mentions the inherent smallness of a human being and their actions relative to the universe, but that humans are the only thing in the universe with the powers to know and love. That is what differentiates us from the sun, the earth, and even animals. It represents untapped potential and infinite possibilities. It states that we ourselves, not money, are the most pivotal instruments of philanthropy because of what we uniquely possess – in particular, our dreams and imaginations. This seems to be a recurring theme of the semester because you can throw as much money as you want at an organization but if they do not have passionate leaders with dreams that can carry it forward, no amount of money will do them any good. Below I’d like to share my favorite quote from this selection:

Perhaps part of our mission in life is not merely to give what we have to people in need, but to draw out from the world and the people around us goodness that would otherwise remain invisible. In the Genesis account, God says, “Let there be light,” human beings are said to be made in God’s image, and God inspects his handiwork and pronounces it good. What if our mission is a semi-divine one – to bring goodness to light? Even if we are not the light’s source, we can still act as lenses, refracting what Jesus intended in calling human beings the light of the world.

                                                                                     – We Make a Life by What We Give

This is a very interesting take on what our job is as Christ-followers and philanthropists, to not only spread the light of Christ to the world but also to draw out that light from other places, to bring light to areas that many may not have realized even had it within them.

If you turn on the news or check social media, you are likely to hear and see an imbalanced proportion of negativity. After continually watching this and feeding into that mindset, you are likely to feel that little good is left in the world and today’s society. After this semester and being able to see how SO MANY organizations (including a great number that I had never heard of before!) are doing such unique, impactful work in Waco alone, I know this is far from the truth. These organizations are doing their best in acting as lenses for this good work, showing their community (and beyond) the light and goodness that still exists in the world. I believe that we as a class this semester have done this as well in our work, and going forward, I hope to continue this practice in my life each and every day, to discover – and be the good that exists in the world and to bring that goodness to light.

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