Mesmerised by America But Missing from Action

And before that, it was the Israel/Gaza conflict, and before that it was the Russia/Ukraine war, and before that … you get the idea. 

One of the unique challenges of modern life is that the internet gives us live, front-seat, all access coverage to the most blazing battle in the world at any given moment. The problem is that we end up like a soldier standing in the middle of his own battlefield, looking the wrong way, mesmerised by the historic battle going on over there, but completely absent from the vital work at hand. 

It’s not just political drama or war. We can spend hours watching self-disciplined sportsmen compete at the highest level to gain their prize and defeat their opponent. But as we’re entertained by their great feats, we’re doing nothing to exercise our own spiritual gifts. We’re distracted, standing mesmerised again, missing the opportunity to compete for an eternal prize. 

Why do we get side-tracked so easily? Why do we get so absorbed in the adventures and dramas of other people’s lives, when there is work of eternal consequence right in front of us?

Why do we let ourselves get distracted with what’s at stake over there, when there is so much at stake right here?

It made me think.

What is at stake around me?

What pressing work is within my reach to do?

I thought of my children – The future generation is at stake. They will continue on in this world, when I am gone. With time, my little boy will become a man, my little girl, a woman. They will face challenges, crisis, temptations, pain. They will need the Lord. And I trust they will live for Him and want to serve Him. How am I preparing them? They need me, as their father. They need my time. My teaching. My example. They need my prayers. What am I passing on? 

I thought of the local church  – Spiritual progress or spiritual regression is at stake. The unity of God's people is always under threat. The health and progress of the local church is directly influenced by my personal life and contribution. The holiness and readiness of the church needs my attention, prayers and labour. Not because the church needs me, but it needs the work and word of God, ministered through me.

I thought of the people of my region – the salvation and sanctification of men and women all around me is at stake. Heaven and hell, sorrow and glory, darkness and light. There are false teachers, evil ideas, and a great apathy caused by prosperity. Who is speaking the truth? Who is preaching the gospel – and actually engaging with the people from around our region? Who is warning and exhorting souls to consider God and the eternal things? Americans can’t reach my neighbours, but I can. 

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“Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong” (1 Corinthians 16:13)