a tip of the hat to Zager and Evans

In an age that offers little privacy, maybe we have become a victim of ourselves.  Without knowing it, or at least realizing it, we have become a nation of people without social skills and no place to use them.  It is entirely possible to be born via test tube, raised by a nanny, be home schooled, get a college degree via the internet, get hired for a position via the internet, and work at home, never seeing anyone.  We can have our groceries delivered, our meals too if desired, we can buy a car online and trade in our old one if we have one, buy online and never even have to answer the door when Amazon delivers.  Who offers overnight and now groceries in two hours.  All from the privacy of your electronic device.   Who hears every word you read and say.  Not feeling good, visiting doctors make house calls, visiting nurses can do your shots if needed, all done with very little or no human contact.  In many cases you can even use the internet and send in your symptoms and get diagnosed using electronic inputs on your i-phone.  Never go to church except online, texting in a question and waiting for a response.  And you can even vote by app, unless you live in Iowa and are a Democrat.....

Way long ago in the late sixties a song “In the Year 2525” was popular, describing the above events.  Winston Smith complained about his loss of freedoms in 1984, and today without knowing it, a whole generation is being robbed of freedoms they never knew existed or exist.  Science has risen from the fiction section to the fact section, and I don’t know if I can live without it, but I still want to make my own choices.  To be out among the people, to feel the wind in my face.  I can vividly remember after my open heart surgery the strong desire to go outside, to feel the heat and the sun.  To be out among the crowds, but unsure, not aware of my weakness.  Stairs threatened me, one afternoon at a Smith’s super market had me wandering loose.  I had no training in being released, and it showed.  Just like it shows in a whole generation today, no manners or social skills, hoodie pulled up over their head even on hot days, faces buried in their phone, with all members not talking but texting during their meal out.  It’s life all right, just not for the living.  Which may explain why motorcycle sales are down, why ride and get cold and dirty when you can Wii yourselves a ride in front of the TV, or Peloton your trip across America.  All carefully orchestrated by those who claim to know best for us.....but have never done it live.  Why even my trip planning is being invaded, I can book online, pick my room the same way and check in before I get there, never having to talk to anyone. Maybe Southwest’s motto “wanna get away?” has taken on a whole new meaning to me.....

Yet Zager and Evans were only one hit wonders, but what a hit.  Many of their lyrics speak of the distant future, but really tell of the far distant and present 2000’s.  I’ve even visited the future birthplace of James T. Kirk, some 200 years from now.  A whole generation of men are wearing shaved heads, at one time the hairstyle of the future.  All wanting to be individuals, but not wanting to not fit in.  Seems we have become isolated voluntarily, choosing incarceration of the mind if not the body without fearing the consequences.  With the excuse, “I turned out OK....”  but did you?  And what are you turning out today for the future?  And now a word from our sponsor...

Jesus tells us to weep with those that weep, and to rejoice with those rejoicing.  With someone, not alone.  Too many shut ins, older folks, those in hospitals have an overwhelming sense of loneliness.  They cannot get out, and many times no one comes in.  They may live a solitary life, and die one.   But God does not want us to stay within the four walls that define us,  but to get out and live.  But the complaints of “you don’t understand,” and I probably don’t don’t count.  Every time the people of God were persecuted, the church grew as it spread.  From the disciples taking the word to Pentecost where it spread among different languages where the men took it home with them, no one was ever isolated from the gospel unless they chose to.  Today I find one important quality missing within the body of believers, talking about Jesus in public.  When first saved that is all I wanted to talk about, and today still do in many cases.  Not becoming some religious appendage of a cult, but sharing Jesus via his love and testifying of what he has done in my life.  When we doubt the future we have taken our eyes off of Jesus, when we fail to love and offer love, our eyes wander with our heart, and soon we feel isolated, then the excuses begin, and soon we have cut God out of our lives.  We have become private, but not alone, as Jesus still desires to spend time with us.  We may turn our backs on him, he never does on us.  You may read the Bible via an app, worship online, but the physical and spiritual aspect will never be replaced.  Jesus makes it personal and wants it to stay that way.  In our sin, or even our selfishness, our isolation tells no one about Jesus.  You can run but you cannot run or hide from Jesus.  There is no app for his love and mercy, or his forgiveness.  You must meet him face to face, the job of the holy spirit.  Who calls out to all, and for those that answer eternal life is given.  No need to worry about the future, he says, today will have enough problems of its own.  Ask yourself, how many will be self induced? 

So I encourage you to get out, weep with those that weep, share their burden as Jesus shared yours.  Think of others first, make no excuses, Jesus didn’t.  But encourage as  you go, sharing how Jesus Christ has changed your life.  We are not the same person after salvation, we need to let that old man die and become new in Christ.  To be social, not stuck at home or within the walls of the church.  Freedom is not another word for nothing left to lose, freedom is truly a life in Jesus Christ, living in is spirit, enjoying the liberty only he can provide.  So put down your i-phone and talk to, not with someone.  Talk to the checkout girl, the waitress, the one stuck inside.  But better yet, listen, for that is the one thing they wish, to be heard.  Only Jesus can hear the cry of the heart, but he sends us to act on it.  The next time you need someone to talk to, don’t hesitate, he is listening.  Are you? 

A Top Ten song in 1968 foretold of a bleak future, in Christ he tells of a life everlasting and abundant in him.  And we get to choose.  A time for everything under the sun, both laughing and crying.  Both done better when someone else is involved.  So get out and get involved.  Someone told you about Jesus......just be their friend can show more than words.  In the year 2020 the decisions made today will impact the years to come.  And man will survive.....but only in Christ.  Now if only some creative sort can put the words of Jesus into a Top Ten song.....imagine the results. 

In the year 8510
God is gonna shake his mighty head
He'll either say, “I'm pleased, where man has been”
Or tear it down and start againWhoa-oh-oh

A tip of the hat to Zager and Evans....and to Jesus Christ who is and gives new life.  8510 will still be a yesterday in eternity, in the year 2020 we still need people.  And we are one of them.  Now if God sees you as that important, don’t you want to get out and tell others?  “Whoa-oh-oh....”

love with compassion,

Mike

matthew25biker.blogspot.com