When “isms” get in the way of your revolution
Wether it be Anarchism, Veganism, Feminism, or any other “ism” that you claim, do not let it get in the way of the reasons you decided to place this tag upon your life in the first place. These “isms” that some of us hold so dear are merely a means to an end, they are by no means the end itself. If it is equality that you want, then let veganism, feminism, anarchism, anti-fascism, etc. be tools to achieve that goal. It is easy to be a good vegan, but what happens when you have a pair of old leather shoes and you are torn between the option of throwing them away or giving them to a homeless man on the street? What happens when other people associated with that “ism” tell you one thing, but your heart says another? The goal is not to be a good feminist, anarchist, or environmentalist, but the goal is to strive for what you know in your heart as good and true. I see many people using these movements as a way of bettering themselves instead of the lives of those around them, which is exactly the opposite of what these labels stand for.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
“The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eyes are unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Matthew 6:19-23
The more I fall in love with Jesus, the more I find how relevant these scriptures are in my life. I have often found that my treasure lies in veganism rather than human and non-human rights, it lies in anarchism rather than freedom in Christ, and it lies in environmentalism rather than creation care. Let these “isms” be a tool in our revolution of love, but never let them confine you to a box that restricts love from getting in. I am vegan, I am an environmentalist, and I am an anarchist only as a result of being a follower of Christ. My treasure no longer lies in boasting about how well I have followed the rules that I have set for myself, but it lies in another kingdom all together. My goal is no longer to be a good anarchist, vegan, or environmentalist, but to use these passions to become a better person.
