God Loves a Loser

12:00 AM Elizabeth Seckman 26 Comments

Fate Intended tour continues! Visit me at Jeff Hargett: We'll talk Heaven

What is ubuntu? "In Africa, there is a concept known as UBUNTU – the profound sense that we are human only through the humanity of others; that if we are to accomplish anything in this world, it will in equal measure be due to the work and achievement of others." – Nelson Mandela.

Still a little confused about ubuntu? Check out Damaria's ubunto post on what it means to be ke motho, or to be human.

I have to admit. I was scratching my head about the concept, and reading Damaria Senne's post blew away the fog. As I was reading hers, I remembered a sermon by a former minister from my church.

Reverend Tenny grabbed my attention one morning by taking the pulpit and announcing, "God loves a loser."

Hmm? What's that?

According to Rev. Tenny, sometimes the very things that help us get ahead in life are the sort of things that won't get us ahead in Heaven. If becoming successful requires back stabbing, social climbing, deceit, brags, and ignoring friends and family...how is the virtuous man to get ahead?

Answer is...sometimes you can't. Sometimes you hang in the mid-list with stains on your carpet and holes in your couch. Maybe you don't even bother to cover your roses because you were busy running boys here and there and making sure your half-blind mother got to the store.

But you get to remain human.

That's ubuntu. It's the concept of motho ke motho ka batho ba bangwe, or a human is a human because of other people.

And sometimes, when it's all said and done...the best compliment a person can get is to be called human, or ke motho.

Michelle suggested we add some art.

When I was a little girl, our church had a stained glass window of Jesus holding a baby sheep...much like this one.

I embarrassed my parents as a little girl by throwing a full blown temper tantrum, complete with tears and kicking feet, because no one would let me go play with Jesus and the baby sheep.

I hardly remember it. I think it's all a story, because everyone knows: I am sweet and moderately tempered. Shoot, I doubt I even cried as a newborn ;)

26 comments:

Elise FallsonFebruary 21, 2014 at 3:20 AM
Somehow, I can imagine the tantrum, but only because I believe to be just as 'sweet and moderately tempered' as you...ahem.... ;)
And I like your example. If someone has to put others down to get ahead, then in the grand scheme of things are they truly getting ahead? No, they're just being aholes.
Sheena-kay GrahamFebruary 21, 2014 at 4:30 AM
See? Even as a child you knew it was important to get to know Jesus. Unbuntu is a great lesson for humanity and God loves us all. I would rather be a good loser than a nasty winner any day.
Alex J. CavanaughFebruary 21, 2014 at 7:46 AM
That's a wonderful way to look at it. Gaining the world does us no good if we lose Heaven in the process.
Your guest spot at Jeff's was awesome.
And I can round up a flock of baby sheep for you if you like...
Pat HattFebruary 21, 2014 at 1:13 PM
haha you just wanted to play, what is wrong with that
klahanieFebruary 21, 2014 at 6:58 PM
Hey Elizabeth,

Help, I can't keep up! Desperate for a clone or clones. I read your words and I like to remain human. Although, Penny might argue that one. You be at Jeff's.....okay, when I have the chance, I'll check it out.

Gary :)
Michelle WallaceFebruary 22, 2014 at 4:50 AM
Hey Elizabeth, sorry I'm so late in getting here to your place. Last night, I had no internet... grrrrr...

This Bible verse sprang to mind: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?"
Your post also made me think of this quote:
“We cannot live only for ourselves. A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects.”
― Herman Melville

Thank you for reaching out across cyberspace to share in the spirit of Ubuntu! Gos bless you!
TrishaFebruary 22, 2014 at 11:31 PM
I'd want to go play with the baby sheep too - that's totally my scene! haha.

Thanks for your post :)
Annalisa CrawfordFebruary 23, 2014 at 5:04 AM
I definitely wouldn't want to get ahead in life, if it meant doing all those things. I'm happy exactly where I am.
Martin WilloughbyFebruary 23, 2014 at 6:14 AM
Well, that would explain why a company chose the name Ubuntu for its operating system. It was created on the back of Linux, a community created piece of software that's available for free.

As for the definition given Nelson, I fully agree with him. It's only by helping others that we show ourselves as human. It also proves something I've believed for ages: politicians aren't human.
PatsyFebruary 23, 2014 at 9:58 AM
I'd rather accomplish things along with my friends than by climbing over them, even if that means my accomplishments are smaller.
Damaria SenneFebruary 23, 2014 at 10:29 AM
Thank you Elizabeth for mentioning me. I'm glad my post helped you gain a bit more understanding of ubuntu. And you are right; sometimes we have to choose between getting ahead and ubuntu and hopefully ubuntu wins. It's a difficult tightrope to walk.

@Martin Willoughby- Ubuntu founder Mark Shuttleworth is South African, so I can see how they would choose the word ubuntu to explain the community work and sharing of it.
Michael Di GesuFebruary 23, 2014 at 6:11 PM
So true. With so many hypocritical people who are wheeling and dealing to get ahead.

Keeping true to oneself and others is following Christ's teachings and being HUMAN.
Hilary Melton-ButcherFebruary 26, 2014 at 7:00 AM
Hi Elizabeth - I'm finishing catching up with the Ubuntu posts and saw you over at Jeff's ...

The enlightenment we've all 'received' via these Ubuntu posts is quite amazing .. I so loved finding out about the word .. and the various other connections with it ..

We all need to take care of each other, and of all living things .. they are essential to us to continue to live on .. cheers Hilary