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Society is the lie and the hope that we all believe. In our deepest parts, we yearn for meaning. We confuse love for utility, and we long to hear somebody say, "You matter to me", "Good job, you were a great help", and, perhaps the most powerful confession, "I need you." When we can't seem to hear these words from God, we seek our worth in the opinions of others. Society emerges as the result of our search for meaning in the people around us.

Logic implies that if society is built on utility, then an individual excels by serving others. In a world that functions with the consciousness of God, this would be true; but, historically speaking, this is simply wrong. In a Godless world, servants do not succeed in society because they cater to the goals and meaning of other people. Those who set and achieve their own goals amass a cult following that promotes them to the echelons of high society. They are the ones who perpetuate that lie that we can create our own meaning, and we praise them for it. These people become leaders, celebrities, and idols.

Perhaps society doesn't exalt the servant because it builds from a shifty foundation. If we could find our meaning in the truth that we are loved, then maybe we would find our purpose in loving others. Then our worth would be found in who we are, instead of what we do. Until then, we are stuck living in a sterile society, seeking our meaning from people who ache to be loved just as much as we do.

Learn more about this author, Joseph South.
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