Ubuntu

        An anthropologist in Africa was studying one of the tribes. One day, he fashioned a game for the children of the tribe. He placed a basket of fruit near a tree trunk and told the children they would have a race. He explained that the first child to reach the tree would get the basket of fruit.

       When he signaled for the children to go, he expected them to run as fast as they could to get the fruit; but instead, the children joined hands and walked together until they reached the tree. Upon reaching the tree they shared the fruit.

       The anthropologist asked why no one tried to be the winner and the children answered in one word – ubuntu.  Then they explained. “How can one of us be happy while the rest are miserable?"

       Ubuntu is an African word that literally means “humanity,” but it’s often translated, “I am because we are.” Ubuntu recognizes the humanity of a person through that person’s relationship with others. For these Africans, people exist in community not in isolation.  Persons are important, not because of their individual worth, but because of their interconnectedness with others.

       For me, Christianity is a way of life that should embody ubuntu. I believe ubuntu was interwoven in the fabric of the early church. In Acts 4:32 the Bible tells us that, All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had.

       Yes, the early church was well-acquainted with ubuntu. Those early Christians had an intense sense of responsibility for each other. They did not live for self. They lived for each other. Through their lives they preached a gospel that said, “I am because we are.”

       Sadly, our society has become focused more on “me” than on “we;” and sometimes I fear our obsession with self-interest may eventually lead to our undoing. Even in our national debate about various covid protocols, such as wearing masks or being vaccinated, we hear people talking about what is good for “me” instead of what is good for “we.” And while that egocentric attitude may clearly be substantiated by American individualism and Western capitalism, it has little to do with the true spirit of Jesus Christ. In Christ, we live not for self, but for others. In Christ, life is not a race to get my prize; it’s a journey I lovingly share with you. In Christ, ubuntu is not some anthropological philosophy. It’s our chosen way of life.

       There are many things I like about the church I pastor, Rutledge Baptist Church. The way we worship is important. The way we open our doors to all says a lot about who we are. Our willingness to engage in ecumenical fellowship sets us apart. Even my monthly article in this paper gives us a chance to let our community know who we are. But nothing we say is more important than what we do. No sermon, no article, no ecumenical meeting; no sign, no service, no well-sung song will ever give a louder testimony than our ministry to those in need. When we hand out spaghetti lunches, or pass out Thanksgiving turkeys, or give gift cards to immigrants who are hungry and afraid, we preach a gospel that is louder than any sermon I might deliver. Yes, when we practice ubuntu we reveal to the world the heart of our Savior Jesus Christ. 

       I believe ubuntu must be at the heart of the church and it must be at the heart of any community that hopes to thrive. Our focus on “me” must never become more important than our focus on “we.” In the end, each of us must understand that “I am because we are.” For how can any one of us be happy while the rest are miserable?”