The curse of idolatry
I usually try and watch the news at least once a day but I must say it has been a struggle this past week.
I struggled to remain interested in the silly 'utegate' affair between the Prime Minister and opposition leader. It seems that the latter didn't do his homework very well. Then, of course, we had the death of pop singer Michael Jackson. It did not only became a headline. It seemed like there was no other news for days. Virtually no mention of a bomb blast in Iraq and Pakistan that killed 76 people. Virtually no mention of the Yememia plane that crashed killing 150 people. Even the death of a "Charlie's Angel" hardly got a mention. What we did get was endless accolades about Mr Michael Jackson.
Now I must say that Mr Jackson was probably a gifted musician and talented entertainer. When I see people of all ages grieving uncontrollably and sometimes bowing down towards him, however, I cannot help but think that we have lost perspective about what really matters in life.
It is now mid-week and I'm watching the evening news. Again I am rather surprised at what is making news headlines. It's not Mr Malcolm Turnbull any more. Even the worship of Mr Michael Jackson's life has been moved aside, at least for tonight. Tonight it is the grand lotto first division prize that is getting all the headlines. Something in the vicinity of $106 million is up for grabs and all you have to do is get your ticket.
As a result, every second person is in the draw (thinking they have the winning ticket), even though it has been proven that if you have a ticket, you only have 0.0002% chance of winning. As someone said, "The chance of winning is only slightly better if you didn't buy a ticket!"
I wonder to myself, "Why would people be 'sucked' into buying a ticket when the odds of winning are so small?" I guess there are many reasons. The promoters of Lotto suggest that you could pay off your credit cards and mortgage, buy a house for the kids, buy a new car and caravan, go for a holiday or a cruise (and don't forget the new wardrobe) ... the list is endless.
But why would we want to go there, especially in light of this week's events?
Mr Michael Jackson was a very wealthy man with estimates of about $300-400 million. Yet all the money in the world didn't prevent prescription drug abuse, anorexia, loneliness, broken relationships and an early meeting with the Judge of the universe where only those who trust in Christ alone are saved to an eternal life of glory.
There is really only one headline that matters in life. It is not that you won lotto or become famous. Rather it is that you know Jesus as your Saviour - and that's not even a lotto question, but a free gift. Two verses of Scripture come to mind. "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God" [Pro 30:8-9] and second, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" [1 Jn 5:21].
I struggled to remain interested in the silly 'utegate' affair between the Prime Minister and opposition leader. It seems that the latter didn't do his homework very well. Then, of course, we had the death of pop singer Michael Jackson. It did not only became a headline. It seemed like there was no other news for days. Virtually no mention of a bomb blast in Iraq and Pakistan that killed 76 people. Virtually no mention of the Yememia plane that crashed killing 150 people. Even the death of a "Charlie's Angel" hardly got a mention. What we did get was endless accolades about Mr Michael Jackson.
Now I must say that Mr Jackson was probably a gifted musician and talented entertainer. When I see people of all ages grieving uncontrollably and sometimes bowing down towards him, however, I cannot help but think that we have lost perspective about what really matters in life.
It is now mid-week and I'm watching the evening news. Again I am rather surprised at what is making news headlines. It's not Mr Malcolm Turnbull any more. Even the worship of Mr Michael Jackson's life has been moved aside, at least for tonight. Tonight it is the grand lotto first division prize that is getting all the headlines. Something in the vicinity of $106 million is up for grabs and all you have to do is get your ticket.
As a result, every second person is in the draw (thinking they have the winning ticket), even though it has been proven that if you have a ticket, you only have 0.0002% chance of winning. As someone said, "The chance of winning is only slightly better if you didn't buy a ticket!"
I wonder to myself, "Why would people be 'sucked' into buying a ticket when the odds of winning are so small?" I guess there are many reasons. The promoters of Lotto suggest that you could pay off your credit cards and mortgage, buy a house for the kids, buy a new car and caravan, go for a holiday or a cruise (and don't forget the new wardrobe) ... the list is endless.
But why would we want to go there, especially in light of this week's events?
Mr Michael Jackson was a very wealthy man with estimates of about $300-400 million. Yet all the money in the world didn't prevent prescription drug abuse, anorexia, loneliness, broken relationships and an early meeting with the Judge of the universe where only those who trust in Christ alone are saved to an eternal life of glory.
There is really only one headline that matters in life. It is not that you won lotto or become famous. Rather it is that you know Jesus as your Saviour - and that's not even a lotto question, but a free gift. Two verses of Scripture come to mind. "Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, 'Who is the LORD?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonour the name of my God" [Pro 30:8-9] and second, "Dear children, keep yourselves from idols" [1 Jn 5:21].
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