Occupied

I must admit. Even as I write this piece I still do not understand what the Occupy Movement seeks to accomplish. It has been ongoing for more than two months now. There’s much talk about righting what is wrong in the economic system of the nation. Yet it is not clear exactly what alternative they are advocating, and whether the strategies and tactics employed so far really move toward a viable solution. So far, all I can observe is chaos and confusion.

And growing irritation. The movement claims to represent the 99 percent. I just wonder how accurate that is. While many share the general desire for something better in the economic system, I am not sure whether they approve of the antics of these self-proclaimed “representatives.” Come to think of it, a primary complaint is about the supposed greed of the one percent. Yet the manner through which they express their demands seems to reflect a motivation that is no different than what they are protesting against: namely, looking out for personal benefit at the expense of others. I am sure it is not true of everyone, but sometimes I get the uncomfortable feeling that many are just looking for a way to grab their piece of the “pie,” and are not genuinely concerned about the welfare of the general public and the nation as a whole. That is what really occupies their hearts and minds.

This serves as a personal reminder for me to check my own motives. Honestly, what is it that moves me to do what I do, to pursue what I pursue? I can have so many concerns in life, but it is worth my serious reflection to identify what really occupies me and compels me to act in a specific manner. The human tendency is to try to control my circumstances to fit my desires. Everything is centered on me. But the Psalmist acknowledges that there are things that belong to God alone. And so he declares, “O LORD, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me” (Psalms 131.1 ESV).

It was said of Paul, when he was in Corinth, that he “was occupied with the word, testifying … that the Christ was Jesus” (Acts 18.5 ESV). What mattered most to Paul was that Christ occupied his very being. “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2.20 NET). Such is the mindset of one who is occupied by Christ.

-Keith Y. Jainga