"Slacktivism" and Why Christian Volunteerism Matters

Have you ever noticed a cultural phenomenon and immediately had it confirmed by other sources?  I like when that happens because it validates a suspicion and makes me feel like I am in touch with the world.  What I noticed was that there is a lot of social media passion for causes that really doesn’t translate to boots on the ground.  I take it to be a generational marker of many millennials.  My suspicion was confirmed by my 26-year-old daughter and a Google search.  When I was talking about this with my daughter, Emma, she said, “Oh yeah, that’s called ‘slacktivism’.”   A Google search later and I found out that it was a thing.

Slacktivism is the idea that signing an online petition or making a blazing, brilliant comment on an online article is tantamount to having taken action.  The immediacy of social media can have the effect of mobilizing a lot of verbal passion that doesn’t equate to genuine follow up in relieving injustice in the world.  I click the mouse, and voila, problem solved.  Unfortunately it’s not that easy.

God cares about the righting of injustice.  Psalm 103:6, “The LORD gives righteousness and justice to all who are treated unfairly” (NLT).  The skeptic in people will challenge the premise that God cares.  But I take this passage at face value.  The challenge to us is that He will often express His care through people like you and me.  We are His instruments to act on behalf of people who are truly in need.

I take it for granted that helping people ought to be the main focus of our efforts to relieve suffering.  It’s not that stewardship of the planet or of animals isn’t worthwhile, but there is a hierarchy of needs.  I work with the conviction that people are the crowning act of God’s Creation.  People, out of all the created order, have the most value.  People have dignity and alone are capable of relating to God in a unique way.  Since our life and resources have limits, I want to direct my passion into helping people.

Followers of Jesus lead the way in real, benevolent humanitarian work.
As I thought about this I noticed something else.  As I look around communities and really around the world, I noticed that most of the benevolent work—real practical aid and assistance—boots on the ground, is being done by people whose primary motivation is their love for Jesus Christ.  Who leads the way in feeding hungry people?  Who is developing recovery groups for those struggling with alcohol and drug dependency?  Who sacrifically travels the globe offering free medical care in the Third World? Who offers affordable or free clothing to people?  Who practices adoption to make a better life for disadvantaged children?  Who shows up when earthquakes, tornados, floods and other natural disasters ravage communities?  Who advocates for freedom of religion, even for people with whom they disagree?  Primarily, it is people for whom the main motivation is their love for Jesus Christ!

Keep it up!
Jesus pointed to this in Matthew 26:11.  A group of disciples were grumbling about the perceived misuse of an expensive perfume (they were saying it should have been sold to care for the poor).  Jesus said, “You will always have poor with you, but you won’t always have me.”  The outflow of that is that people who really love Jesus—who are truly worshipers of Him—will also care for those for whom He cares.  That is what is happening all over the world: people who love Jesus love others in His name.  It is both noble and right!  Keep it up!  This is a powerful testimony to others of the transforming power of Jesus Christ!