9.22.2009

on clubs and community

PUN OF THE DAY:
What club does your eight-legged friend keep disappearing off to?
OCTAGON!

Today, I went to a meeting for CKI, a service club here on campus. I've decided that until I've gotten good enough at balancing academics and all the whatnots of college life to take on high-commitment things like work or internships, I should be helping the community around me. After four years of high school going "homg need 2 moar csf hours or else i will be inactivzzzz ohnoes" the thing I've wanted to do most here was willing, fulfilling community service. I checked out multiple service clubs at college so far, but most of them reminded me so much of high school clubs ("you need at least 8 hours to be an active member" & "you should join because we have open officer positions!") that I began to wonder if there was anything to youth community service beyond getting resume/college experience.

But CKI struck me as different and, plainly, awesome. Because the one thing they reminded me of most was a fellowship. A family. They even had small groups for you to make close friends! And you can tell that the members - or at least the long-term ones - are really passionate about what they do. They get excited for new members. They reach out to you and ask you to join this activity or that activity to get plugged into the club. They put not only their time, but their money into it. First activity of the meeting? Asking for donations from the club members (of course, not like GIMME YO MONEHS but more of contribute all your loose change, folks!). And I was like, HM. I like it here. I feel at home here. I feel like I'm amongst...brothers and sisters.

It was so warm.

The first conclusion I reach is that Christian values, like generosity, selflessness, and joy for new brothers and sisters, make beautiful and strong communities that stand out amongst communities based on selfish needs.

But if you look past this first observation, you find that...these people aren't Christians. I know because when a sexual joke came up in the middle of the meeting there was a lot of laughing. So this means that non-Christians can reach a certain level of fellowship and family, too. They too can acheive an environment you feel drawn to, not by popularity or pressure but by a loving community. And that makes me wonder.

And at that point, as I walked back to my dorm in the chilly evening air, I realized that it was scary. The very fact that I have to wonder how non-Christians can reach a status that Christians have means that to some extent I am becoming another one of those proud, Christian elitists who think that we exist on a higher plane of existence than others. I'm distancing myself from humanity.

And that's not what I want to do.

But somehow, it's happening. I'm starting to think I'm better. That my community is better than yours.

It isn't. Is it?

Who am I to think that?

Why did God create pride?

But. As I am pondering this frightening thought, I am still very happy tonight.

One, I found a cool service club. Especially one that puts a focus on meeting new people. So I will be able to do cool community service and meet new people.

Two, I've been put at a radical university. Here, only a small proportion of students think like I do and I can do with a lot of humbling and a lot of learning about new ideas, opinions, viewpoints, faiths, experiences, lives, stories, and things I would not ever be exposed to elsewhere.

Three, no matter what happens or who I'm becoming, it's for the best. Romans 8:28.

So. This will be my new "science project." I shall go serve the community and meet new people and find out why they're so passionate, and hopefully learn more about myself and the world.

:)

2 comments:

  1. HAHAHAAH. I like your pun. You're so punny, Ann. Your thoughts are interesting...is CKI like Circle K? I think my suitemate is in that. I haven't really been looking at any clubs...I kind of want to check ou tthe Rubber Band Club...want to come with me? I have no idea how to get there, though. ><

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  2. we have circle k too!!!

    but anyway. deeeeep. like. :]

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