The Reality of It
The nature of Western society has long been concerned with pleasure and entertainment.
Even with Rome and Greece we see a history of self-indulgence and gratification. The instantaneous nature at which these egregious virtues can now be appeased is only exacerbated by the exponential increase in technological advancement.
Even AI now exists to serve the imagination of each individual to their own pleasure by better producing whatever ideas or concepts one can dream up in their psyche.
It’s alarming to think about.
The revelation of the state of our world would leave one word to ascribe everyone’s central driving force: Me.
The sole purpose for which most peoples exist and operate their lives are simply for themselves. The Main Character meme is a pop-culture depiction of the extreme versions of those who have lost touch with reality but I would submit that many still consider themselves the main character—their pride just stops them from being that embarrassing.
The Increased Value of Self
Since the beginning of time pride has been the marker of destruction in most men and women; however, it has taken a new meaning in the post-modern era where pride would more so be equated to narcissism.
I by no means am claiming that everyone suffers from such deep psychological disorder, but the priority in which we think of ourselves has taken it’s chief seat in the minds of men like never before.
The increase in one area of course means the decrease in another.
As self is consuming the thought of everyday life that means consideration is dying. That, my friends, is the purpose of today’s thought.
An appeal for the revival of consideration.
Once a word that was prevalent in our society often now left to the plague of me-isms. It has been murdered by the consumption of phrases like “follow your heart” and “my truth.”
Consideration was once the obligation of a man with integrity.
To think beyond one’s self, to understand the broader implications of one’s own actions, or even to think of what others may be enduring so as to treat them with respect and care.
Consideration speaks of a higher virtue of compassion and selflessness. Hard words to read in the moment of our time.
Consideration must be renewed in our culture to ensure that people, families, nations, can thrive. The death of Consideration is the death of civilization. Hedonism only leads to ruin and self-absorption only leads to isolation.
Neither end yields productive society, happy families, or even fulfillment of the individual. All leads to lack…unless…
Unless we begin to Consider once again.
The Wisdom of It
Consideration has a two-fold appeal to it’s value as a Virtue. In the nature of this blog it is both an engineering and Christian principle.
To begin we must evaluate what scripture has to say regarding the wisdom of consideration.
Consideration is the natural inclination for someone who is in pursuit of Jesus Christ.
Jesus often made mention of the responsibility to minister, meaning to serve. To serve one must evaluate what needs there are, or could be, and formulate how they might be able to meet that need. It is to consider the needs of others before the needs of oneself.
The wise King records in the Proverbs the following verse.
He speaks to the disaster that is on the horizon to those who live without consideration and the prosperity that is promised to those who would think on the cost, consequences, and camaraderie that come with their actions—those who consider.
Consideration reaches far beyond the immediate gratification of an individual to the entirety of their actions. How do my choices affect my family, friends, coworkers, congregation? It speaks to the heart of an individual who would think of the whole before themselves. Philosophers would put them in a Kantian camp but Jesus just proclaims them part of The Body.
In James admonition for a somber approach, he speaks to the consideration that is expected of Disciples.
Swift to get all of the facts and ensure that all parties are heard and the context of the situation is understood; slow, or patient, to speak or act regarding a situation to ensure that proper consideration has been given and grace has been applied to all involved.
The wisdom of Consideration is found in its patience and understanding.
The power of consideration is the activation of grace and mercy in ones life. It is much easier to afford grace to someone who has just agitated you when you consider what caused their bad attitude or to give mercy to the individual who, much like you, could not have escaped their vice without the forgiveness of a loving God.
The wisdom of Consideration is the breath of patience. The pause given to rise above the response of our flesh and to hear the voice of the Spirit before taking action in the moments of our lives. For in that patience you may just hear the Lord say, “its time for their miracle.” In that patience you may just be able to let the word work and bear the fruit of the Spirit instead of sour grapes.
The appeal to consideration, from a Christian perspective, calls us to be like Jesus and have the mind of Christ Jesus who gave consideration to the heart of all men according to His Father’s will.
The Wisdom of It is found in the ability to walk after the spirit instead of the lust of the flesh.
The Art of It
The art of Consideration I will lend to Engineering. It is not often that many would consider the Engineer very artsy but the creativity of problem solving comes from the complexities of reality.
In theory, all Engineering is easy for it is just the facts of physics applied to the common man’s problem; however, it is rare that the problem gives physics its needed variables in perfect control or the application as simple as theorized. The artistry of Engineering then comes into play as problems are solved by combining multiple theories with ever changing variables to bring alive a harmonious system that facilitates optimized functionality or revolutionary convenience.
The art of Consideration is identifying what is true, what is not true, and what might be true that could dramatically change the outcome of the problem. Because what might be true often has far reaching implications to the design process. Thus Engineering design mainly consists of considering what might be true and finding out if it is. Ensuring that all existing variables are well defined and the client’s desires are as clear as possible.
For instance on the left may seem clear enough, except that the left side is where the gauges are and placement of that machinery would obstruct the operators vision to monitor pressures and levels during operations.
As elementary as it seems, such consideration is the difference between a happy customer and a change order tripling the cost of the project.
The Art of Considering Our Brother
In the beginning God makes a statement regarding the consideration that must be afforded to each individual we may encounter.
Now the context of that scripture is bound in rage and consideration never afforded to the life of a man. God is explaining the gravity of murder but the principle must be evaluated as much more than just an admonition against taking someone’s life. The principle is to consider that each person we encounter is made in the image of God which makes them one of God’s priorities. For He came to seek and save that which was lost—communion with those image bearers.
Paul’s words carry much greater weight now when he compels us to consider our brother to ourself.
Prefer, to put someone before yourself, to consider. Paul reminds us that the love of Jesus Christ operating through us compels us to consideration. Thought must be given, pause must be taken, and the Spirit must speak before we would become angry or act out against a brother or sister—an image bearer.
So let’s start a revival of Consideration. Because it may just be, that people are in desperate need of a smile and grace rather than a glare and retribution. It may be the difference between life and death for them or greater still hope and despair.
Let's build together.