Formed by Survival

A wise friend at the New Polity Conference this weekend told a group of young men, “You have to remember that up until very recently, the threat of death was intensely clarifying and tended to force us into the grooves that were most meaningful and formative.” I believe he meant something like this: when weather, famine, or invasion are real issues, you don’t discern for years what to do—otherwise, you die. What needs to be done is clear. During such times, the drive to survive also tends to lead people to depend more on family and friends, thus strengthening community. 

In contrast, our affluence today does not force us into relationships or greater clarity. We are wealthy enough to become stuck in endless pondering without purpose. We are able to provide most of what we think we need with relative ease. One can live in relative independence from others without getting to know anyone. This comfort, while predictable and in some ways easier, has led to less human flourishing. 

So what is the solution? I believe it lies in recovering the intensity of survival by choosing a life that is challenging. In previous times, people lived intensely because death was imminent. Today, we can create similar engagement and purpose by pursuing a vision that requires growth and full participation, not just coasting. 

This week, I invite you to ask yourself: 

On a scale of 1-7, how intensely am I living a full and rich life? If it is not a 7, what would need to change for me to be engaged in my life as if my survival depended on it? 

God bless,
Dan