Watch Out For The Helicopters!

The renown Indian chief Tecumseh posited some two hundred and thirty years ago that if the white man is so genuinely focused on what is best for the Native Americans, than why does he ply him with alcohol which leads so many to a kind of insanity. Possible explanations fall somewhere on a spectrum from ignorance to deception. I see a similar dynamic arising from the Covid situation (I will use as many nouns as needed to avoid using the P-word, as the media has over-applied (and mis-applied) it ad nauseum. Here is the parallel: the government (yeah I know this is more of a states thing, but the paranoia and ignorance have reached a national level) tell us they have our best interest at heart while employing Draconian measures for Covid, but continue letting us do so many other "unhealthy" things.

Think about it. We are being placed under varying degrees of Marshall Law so we don't possibly, maybe, potentially, catch this "killer" virus or give it to someone else. This "killer" virus that has a mortality rate of (well depends on where you get your information), but certainly of those who are actually diagnosed many more recover than not. But whatever numbers we apply, they pale in comparison to the other "killers" that kill more people each and every year. In a typical year, more will die in the U.S. from cancer, heart disease, diabetes, alcohol related (entailing many things from liver disease to auto accidents), drugs, suicide, flu, pneumonia; the list goes on. 

So, as Tecumseh so adroitly observed, if our government cares so much for our well-being, why does it allow (if not promote, a la alcohol and cigarettes) so many to pursue unhealthy lifestyles...anyone?

Seems to me if you are going to tell us how to live our lives and decide for us what risks we can or can't take with Covid; you should be doing the same for deadlier activities. Anyone else see the big Hippo in the room?

Big Brother will allow us to smoke which leads to cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems; allow us to eat junk food which leads to obesity, diabetes, heart disease; allow us to consume alcohol which is probably the deadliest practice if you consider the physical, emotional, criminal and financial disaster it wreaks; and while we're at it, let's ease up on marijuana - it's not really that bad. Not to mention, it has a great profit margin. If you want (I want), let's throw in all kinds of acceptable sordid entertainment; from pornography to violent sports. You think there is an emotional or spiritual decay associated with this stuff? I do. 

Forget about Covid! We all should have been protected from each other (and ourselves) soon as we got out of diapers! They (whoever they are) were on the right track when dodge ball was eliminated from our schools. Certainly this was justified by the amount of violence and gore produced when that squishy rubber ball impacted so many young lives! Clearly we can't be trusted to make rational decisions when it comes to our own lives. There was a term coined a few years ago: Helicopter parents. It referred to parents who were constantly "hovering" over their children. They were so worried about "protecting" their kids that they would end up stifling them. Essentially they traded a potential problem (at least in their minds) for a real one: youngsters that were hindered emotionally and practically as they became frightened to think and act for themselves. Unfortunately, when it comes to Covid, we are victims of a helicopter government.

What should have happened was a much more measured approach based on reality; not projection models (that have virtually all proved woefully incorrect). This misstep resulted in incredible waste of money and resources, not to mention the financial and emotional damage suffered by so many forced from making a living. As a doctor pointed out, you can be too proactive, especially based on models from so many different sources dealing with a novel situation. The proactive aspects should have never moved past social distancing and the option to wear PPE (gloves/mask). All the intelligent data states that gloves are essentially useless, and unless you are going to be around infected people sneezing or spitting in your face; forget the mask too. There has been no direct correlation between the use of this junk and reduction of those infected. In fact, one can realize a false security by wearing them, but actually be worse. God the Creator gave us skin and a respiratory system to combat viruses. In fact, wearing a mask and re-breathing exhaled air, not allowing your nose and mouth to function as designed is not optimal and can cause other problems. If these things were effective, than why don't we all don this cra_ every cold and flu season (thankfully, no one reads my blog, so I don't have to worry about putting that idea into anyone's head).

All of these reactionary moves (closing business, mandatory PPE, etc) should have been contingencies if the situation warranted (which it never would have, as the dire predictions were all just that). Notwithstanding all of the mouth breathers who wallow in stupidity on youtube; there are enough of us who can make intelligent decisions based on facts. As Believers, we realize we live in a fallen world and there is risk inherent in rolling out your bed everyday. But we know God is in control, so we don't worry and don't panic. Just like the McDonald's coffee cups say: Caution - contents hot. We can accept a little gentle reminder and suggestion, but take your helicopters (black or otherwise) somewhere else. I don't think this is some grand conspiracy devised by the left; I do believe however that the media and most of the left are getting all the mileage they can out of it. It's the best smoke screen they could have wished for at a time when the country is realizing the emperor (albeit a democratic one) is wearing no clothes.

Yes, it's been a scary time, but Christians in history have lived through many scary times. And if it's The Lord's will; we'll get through this one, If we don't; guess what, we have a better option. Folks need to be less concerned about masks and gloves and more concerned with Bibles and prayer. For those  who understand this; the only hovering over us we want is the Holy Spirit. We are free to accept or reject Jesus as Lord of our lives. We are (or should be ) free to choose our lifestyle. For those who reject Jesus and choose unwise lifestyles, all I can say is: you can't fix stupid.

Don't Hit the Snooze

2020 started off like no other year I can remember. Before the first month was done, my father and a famous celebrity athlete were dead. In the third month, we’re facing an unprecedented pandemic. It’s as though God was issuing wake-up calls in the first quarter of 2020 on three different levels if you will: local, national, global. At the local level my father's death reminded my extended family and some friends that our time on this little planet is limited and will come to an end. On a national level the death of Kobe Bryant was a reminder for many thousands (if not millions) of people of this reality. Of course the Corona virus takes this message global (and amazingly the media is hyping this more than the death of Kobe, but I digress into possibly fodder for another post). So yeah, I’ll remember 2020 for sure, and we’re just barely a quarter of the way through the year! Unlike the world that perceives these things as random tragic occurrences, we know better. God is in control, and all is well (with my soul). 

My dad was 88 years old and had been in hospice care since August. We knew he was going to die. However, it was still devastating for me personally. Anyone with a loving relationship with their parents can relate. He lived a long and productive life on many levels. He left a loving spouse and children and a legacy of being there for any of us if needed. A large emotional and physical void now exists. You only have one dad. When you lose a parent at my age, it also puts the mirror of mortality right in front of your face. It’s one thing to understand intellectually you’re going to die some day, it’s another to feel it. Especially when all of a sudden people are commenting on how much I look like or sound like him. 

It is also tough as a believer to reconcile what commonly occurs at funerals/memorial services with the reality of life after death. I’m referring to the dynamic where just about every late lamented loved one is surely in Heaven. It doesn’t matter what kind of life they lived, or what they thought about Jesus (if even known); they were a darn good person (at least comparatively) and we loved them - so they’ve earned their shuttle ride to the Celestial City. That’s a synopsis of the theology of far too many these days. Of course we know there’s a bit more to it than that. And as my family (other than my wife and kids) have not accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior, you can imagine my angst at the real possibility of confronting some of these delusions. 

I largely feel that Believers think about eternity constantly. If you’re a true follower of Christ you understand that actions have eternal consequences, therefore the concept is often in the forefront of your thinking. Especially as it relates to what happens after one dies. On the other hand, the world is typically concerned with living for the moment. And when I say moment I would include the lifetime of an individual, as our lives are but a moment in the grand scheme. All that matters is how much stuff you can accumulate and how much fun you can have. Of course most good folks would also agree we should help those less fortunate than ourselves, however it is optional as it is our life to live as we see fit. The only time eternity commands real attention from these people is when someone they care about dies; sometimes not even then. Unfortunately, they often think the wrong things. They often conjure up what I would refer to as a personal semi-universalism: i.e. everyone they have fond feelings for will end up in heaven. This would include people they don’t even know, as long as friends of theirs “vouch” for them (“...you didn’t know Travis, but he was a great guy. He had his problems (drugs, fornication, blasphemy) but he would watch my pet Ferret anytime I needed him. We’ll definitely meet again up there”). I say semi because these same folks will agree that not everyone goes to heaven (at least they got that right), because of course Hitler, Dahmer, and people that abuse little kids are going to Hell. More succinctly: those I like are probably going to heaven; those I don’t may end up in Hell. Even more succinctly: I’m (or you, or all us) are the final arbiters; yeah, it doesn’t work that way. Jesus will decide and we shouldn’t be surprised at His decision, as it has all been laid out for us in His Word. 

So yeah, this year is already one for the ages. Pandemics are a relatively rare occurrence and my father's passing is even rarer (once in the history of the world). But life is for the living; so we go on. Those of us who trust in Jesus go on with Hope. Knowing ultimately we will experience a place without tears or fear. Those who don't, go on as with blind instinct; like a herd of antelope that watch one of their own snagged by a lion, then just start pushing forward again as if nothing happened. If people don't heed God's wakeup call they too will be snagged for eternity by the one that roams the earth as a lion looking to devour the ones "left behind". Graciously, God allowed my family and I to share the Gospel with my dad toward the end of his early life. And during the memorial service and surrounding family/friends gatherings I wasn’t faced with much of the “pie in the sky” theology (maybe “whistling past the graveyard” theology would be a more fitting description). In fact, I was able to share the Gospel and answer many questions from my brother that clearly emanated from our fathers passing and the concept of eternity. So a sad situation from our human vantage point is surrounded with hope. That is some real comfort in these troubling times.

CAN I GET A WITNESS

Do any other Believers struggle with how to share the Gospel (witness) to people? Well, in the words of Thomas Clarkson in Amazing Grace, “...this one bloody does!” Many times I have felt that I’m not doing nearly enough to win the lost to Christ. Being a huge fan of Grace Gems with its endless storehouse of Orthodox Christianity can lead one to wonderful optimism and unsettling conviction. The latter especially as it pertains to this issue.

Reading some of the authors describing their personal anguish at the realization that souls are going to Hell, can easily lead to a body feeling pretty callous if you don’t find yourself in the same perpetual state of gloom. How do those individuals have any joy in their life. Since people are going to Hell every minute of every day, how could they possibly ever smile, let alone enjoy a round of golf!

I certainly am not comfortable knowing untold numbers of people are going to spend eternity separated from God in unfathomable anguish (especially loved ones), but since this is how God has designed His creation, who am I, but just a vessel? First, I need to open myself to the Holy Spirit, get justified, and start the sanctification process. Then I can worry about others. However, does this concern or worry for others destroy my joy at the wonderful gift I have received? Of course not. The Bible balances the appreciation of Blessings with the sober mind of a mourner. We are not to be non-stop “partiers” nor purveyors of perpetual gloom. 

The Bible tells in many instances to rejoice and be glad in this present fallen world, even though we are only passing through on our way to Heaven. That’s not going to happen for me if I’m in a constant state of depression over lost souls. So I have to find the Biblical approach to juxtapose the reality of Hell with blessings from Heaven.  Joshua 24:15 helps me achieve that balance.

If my house has (and we have), accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and are now new creations, then that is all the joy I need; and nothing can diminish it. Not a bad day at the office, speeding ticket, cancer diagnosis, or that others are rejecting Christ and perishing. Now these and many other things can affect my mood temporarily, but not my joy. It’s a willful state of mind, not subject to the whims of emotion. Yes, all of the aforementioned can be upsetting (certainly not all equally), but we are called to be Victors and Overcomers despite these realities.  

These realizations have freed me to witness; not hindered me. Both in approach and objective. I don’t have to concern myself with the ultimate outcome of my “preparing the fields”, nor criticize myself for my method for doing so. I believe it was Spurgeon who responded to criticism of his evangelistic approach by saying something akin to “...I like my way of witnessing better than your way of not witnessing”. So I’ve adopted that attitude as it has helped me to be comfortable in my own skin and leave others to be comfortable in theirs. I have shared my faith, and will continue to do so when the opportunity arises. I’ve run the gamut to handing tracts to strangers to answering questions and objections from friends and family. There is a huge gap between being a street preacher with a megaphone outside a homosexual dance club and being an “undercover brother” not saying anything to anybody. As long as we’re preparing the fields, it shouldn’t matter whether we’re using your hand a la Johnny Appleseed, or using a John Deere mechanized approach.

The Bible tells us we are members of the same body with varied functions; none being unimportant. I can really see this demonstrated with evangelism. It can be easy to feel insignificant if you’re not addressing hundreds or thousands at a gathering. But maybe the one person you share Christ with didn’t or wouldn’t attend an event like that. Maybe God wanted to use you for that particular purpose and that one person is the only one truly converted out of thousands that heard. As we know, God is not about the numbers. True Jesus Followers have always been in the minority in this realm ruled by Satan. Not until we are in Heaven will we be in the majority; 100%. I’m looking forward to that. 

For those not in that majority; it’s a very sad thing indeed. But remembering the saying: “If saved, all the glory to God; if lost, all the blame on you”, helps put things in perspective. Anyone ending up in Hell, put themselves there. God didn’t put them there, Satan didn’t put them there (he doesn’t have that much power), they weren’t bamboozled, they didn’t “not get the memo” (creation); they rejected Christ. So they bear the consequences put in place by a God of perfect mercy and perfect justice. Of course, I don’t understand it all, nor frankly, do I like it all; but that is of no consequence. 

Wringing your hands and lamenting over lost souls does you (and them) no good. The best you can do is share the Good News whenever the opportunity arises. I don’t feel the best opportunity is in ten second sound bytes or yelling at people on street corners (some are alright with that). I believe if you are led by the Holy Spirit, the situation will allow for interaction, with 1 Peter 3:15 being your guide.