Selfless? or Fearful? (Abnegation or Dauntless?)
In Veronica Roth’s Divergent, the word is broken up into five factions, with the political leaders coming from Abnegation. In the sect of Abnegation, selfless behavior is taught and required at all times. Thinking of others first is the priority and the highest value. In order to keep a focus on others’ needs, mirrors are not allowed, nor are extravagant purchases. In fact, people dress in gray, live in gray drab homes, and eat drab food.
I have a feeling that sometimes the world views Christianity that way. We seem boring, and living within God’s plans and expectations seems like being trapped in to a cookie cutter mold.
God clearly asks us to die to self and live for Christ and he also makes it clear that our focus should not be on the trappings of this world like possessions. This character trait of selflessness should mark our behavior as Christians too. We should listen to others first, give them preference in the conversation and intentionally look for opportunities to encourage each other with our words.
But, being selfless really isn’t boring. It’s scary and brave and adventurous.
Divergent describes another faction of people who are dauntless, unafraid of battle, precarious heights or dangerous situations. I sometimes wish that described who I am: tough, a little rough around the edges, confident, willing to charge into difficult situations and act boldly. As the main character discovers, facing our fears turns out to be as much about courage as it is about choosing others before ourselves. Fears are self-centered and about self-preservation, so when we are putting others first, our selfish worries fade into the background.
In other words, fear can often be a selfish thing.
We’re afraid of looking ridiculous or failure because we are worried about our image. We fear change because it endangers our self-constructed world of safety. Most fears can be linked back to our self-centered mentality. We’re afraid that we can’t control the situation and we’re afraid of how the outcome will affect us.
So, a change in focus may be the thing that enables us to overcome our fears. When we think first of our neighbor’s needs, our worries begin to fade.
If we have died to self, then what have we to fear?
Isaiah 41:10-13 reminds us…
Do not be afraid
Heather
P.S. What fears are you struggling with today? Can I pray for you? What about selfish behaviors you’re trapped in? Let’s encourage one another in this journey!
“Fears are self-centered and about self-preservation …” – I never thought of it that way! When I consider some of my irrational fears, it does seem to come back to self-preservation and (again, I never thought of it this way), self-centeredness.
My children are all at the point in there life where they are on the brink of new independence – first new apartment, graduating from college and graduating from high school. My current fears/worries/concerns about self-preservation extend to each of them – I want to somehow keep them all safe and from experiencing the inevitable bumps and bruises of navigating new roads. Everyday I get a step closer to trusting God and shaping my worries into prayer. It gets a little easier every day.
I couldn’t agree more with focusing on our neighbors’ needs as a way to take our mind off of our self!
Your post reached my heart – thank you!
Awesome post.
Love this Heather! It’s so true and so on time. We’re approaching a season of changes and it can be daunting and fearful. Thank you for your words!
Great post!! I’ve read (ALMOST) the entire trilogy, and I have to say this series is rife with lessons for Christians to pull out and apply to their own day to day lives.
The one that really sticks to me is the whole Divergent policy. This world – as it is initially presented – builds on the premise that mankind is designed to fit into one of five character areas. You are one, not another. And to cross that line deviates from all that is considered right. Only at the choosing can a person step away fom their past and into a separate future, but even then their choice locks them into just one more tightly-regulated society. Are we Christian or not? And if we are Christian, to what denomination do we claim allegiance?
Below this, there is another truth that seemed to make itself known – especially in the character of Marcus Eaton. While the purpose of the factions might be to provide stability and definition, they also provide shelter from prying eyes. A man who wears grey and follows the rules of Abnegation is not closely watched for his other traits. In private he can lie, cheat, abuse, and yet as long as his outer self stays true to expectations, no one asks questions. In our day of scandals becoming wide known and quickly exposed, we have come to realize how many people have used the seemingly respectable shroud of Christianity to hide their own darker natures.
Therefore, to conclude my long-winded response here, I see this book as a call to us all to be Divergent. To do away with shrouds and coverings, colors and expectations, and become transparent in all our abilities. Our allegiance is not to a group or a creed, but to One God and One Savior. To do that, we must be Selfless, Intelligent, Honest, Compassionate and Brave in order to fulfill his purpose in our lives.