Surprising news – I saw the headline last week that 300,000 of those one-wheeled electric skateboards have been recalled. Why? Because they determined that they are dangerous. Wow, who saw that coming? Apparently, there have been several deaths and numerous injuries as people try to keep their balance and navigate through the city on these electric powered scooters. It reminds me of another headline I came across with a startling revelation from the CDC. They have issued a report to declare the number of injuries from scooter accidents had increased. Yeah, I know. That is remarkable. Remarkable in that someone got paid to research something which should be quite obvious. On the local news, they have also reported that hospitals and doctors are reporting an increase in scooter-related injuries. Gee, I wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that there are now scooters everywhere? People now have the opportunity to rent a scooter and buzz all over the roads, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. while trying to maintain their balance, hold onto their stuff, and not hit any of the 11 million potholes out there. (Disclaimer, that number has no scientific research supporting it. It is used simply for illustrative purposes and should be viewed as such). Furthermore, they also have to dodge all of the other scooter operators, drivers of cars and trucks, pedestrians and joggers, most of whom may be on their phones or texting. Further complicating the matter in KC is the extensive network of rails for our mass transit light rail system. Well, at least in that 2-mile area where the light rail tourist tram travels. Who knows, maybe one day it will extend up to the equally as justifiable $ 2 billion single terminal at KCI. Anyway, I digress. I guess that is why it is called Ramblings. For most of us reading this (whether out of sheer boredom, an unhealthy sense of obligation, or seeking to make a clinical diagnosis), we could make the accurate assumption that if there are more people riding scooters that there will be more accidents. When the automobile was first introduced and began to become mainstream, we would have rightly concluded that there would be more automobile accidents. As the horse and buggy was used less and less, there would have been fewer of them involved in accidents. Although, if it involved an automobile it would have probably made the local news. By the way, several of us on a mission trip to Mexico witnessed a low-speed burro collision one time. Yep, two wagons each being pulled a donkey refused to yield the right of way to each other. Then, right before our eyes, they ran into each other. At a blazing 1.3 mph (estimated but not verified), it wasn’t all that spectacular. They just yelled at each other (the drivers that is, no Balaam type miracle or anything) and went on.
Wow, we really need to stay on topic here. Sometimes, people seem to be surprised by the obvious outcome. More scooters = more accidents. More ice on the roads = more accidents. Higher prices on food, gas or housing = less money to spend on other things. In some ways, you can break most things down to simple equations. That is true of what we witness going on in our world right now. The population of the world is now a little over 8 billion people. China and India account for over 2.8 billion of that. If you look at the list of the top 20 countries by population, you quickly discover that is not made up of Christian majority countries. In fact, quite the opposite could be said about most of them. Here’s our overly simplistic formula: More people=more lostness. More lostness=more problems, persecution, resistance to the Gospel, and a changing power structure. In our own community, people are asking the question, “What is going on” or “Why is there so much crime, violence, etc.?” That is almost like the premise of the CDC report. The reason why this stuff is happening is because there are more people that don’t know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. More lost people=more sin in the community. That is why I am thankful for our church that is seeking to make a difference in a community that desperately needs Christ. Even though what we do is hard, we are making an impact in the lives around us. The more people that God allows us to reach with His glorious Gospel, the greater chance we have of witnessing community transformation. Perhaps, another way of stating the status of the community is this: more lost people=more opportunity to see God do something incredible.
I leave you with these two passages to consider as you seek to live you life for the glory of God in the midst of an ever-changing world:
1But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. 2 For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, 4 traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5 holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people! …13 Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, 15 and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is inspired by Godand is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3)
16 These people are discontented grumblers, walking according to their desires; their mouths utter arrogant words, flattering people for their own advantage.
17 But you, dear friends, remember what was predicted by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 they told you, “In the end time there will be scoffers walking according to their own ungodly desires.” 19 These people create divisions and are unbelievers, not having the Spirit. 20 But you, dear friends, as you build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, expecting the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for eternal life. 22 Have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them from the fire; have mercy on others but with fear, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.24 Now to Him who is able to protect you from stumbling and to make you stand in the presence of His glory, blameless and with great joy, 25 to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority before all time, now and forever. Amen. (Jude)
Larry
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