Being Christ-like on the buses

I take the bus. A lot. I have had ample opportunity to observe the strange sociological workings at many different points in the day. Human nature tends to rear it's ugly head as everyone wants to be first and have the best seat, but few are willing to be the hero.

Every so often, someone will graciously offer their seat to someone standing. What shocks me, however, is the number of times this does not happen when it should. When a mother with a child comes on the bus, or an elderly person, it should be second nature to give up one's seat to those in need, morally speaking.

It appears, however, that our human morality is revealed as a pathetic garment, or as Isaiah 64:6 puts it, "filthy rags." Repeatedly those sitting down do not do this. Repeatedly people will stand near the front of the bus, blocking those trying to get on, with no sign of ever moving until the bus driver aggressively insists they make room or move back.

My conclusion is this: left to our own devices, humanity does not care for it's own. It's an evolutionistic, dog-eat-dog world out there. But this is not the end of things. Oh no.

When Jesus Christ came to earth in the form of a human being, being subservient to the Father, he demonstrated a better way. It is the way of grace. Instead of fighting for our rights and our place, we should be looking for who we can serve around us. 

We are exhorted to, "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves" (Philippians 2:3). Maybe this is not the most expedient way. Maybe it means we need to inconvenience ourselves, to stand and be rocked to and fro so that someone else can be comfortable. Maybe we need to ask ourselves who we need to be willing to give our seat up for today.