There are so many things we have now, in 2012, that seemed to me so futuristic that they would never be seen in my lifetime. Things like flat screen 3D televisions. (How these have superceded flying cars I don't know... have you seen "The Jetsons"? We have way better televisions then they do, but we sure aren't flying everywhere in spaceships.) Video chat. I remember PeeWee Herman's video chat booth, and thinking that would be so cool. Now I do it all the time and it's almost common place. Siri = seriously futuristic. You just talk and she understands... generally anyway. And gives helpful answers. AMAZING!
Cars that can parallel park themselves! Awesome! But I still wished they at least hovered or something. I just can't get past my disappointment in our lack of flying automobiles.
iPads, Blackberry Playbooks... any tablet really. These things are just getting started and they are pretty fantastic. We are enjoying some technology that even the ever inventive Sci-Fi writers didn't imagine... and many of the things they did.
All that is incredibly cool... however, (Isn't that a horrible word sometimes... However... so ominous.) There are some ways in which are world has changed that I would not, could not, nor wanted to imagine. I thought my highschool experience in the mid 90's was difficult enough. But there are so many new ways for kids to hurt and abuse one another. This makes me so sad. I work with youth, have for many years... in some ways you can see yourself and your friends in each new generation that comes along. But these days there is no rest from "friends" when they go home. They don't disengage, even for an evening, from their peers. Their peers have replaced their parents, when it comes to seeking direction, sharing secrets, and planning for their futures. I think we all are pretty saturated with anti-bullying promotions, so I won't turn this into one of those rants (although, I kind of want to)... so let's move on.
I think all of this new culture, plays perfectly into prophecy. There is a verse, that says... Sin will be rampant everywhere, the hearts of many will grow cold. (Matt 24:12) Don't you see this happening? I do. Take movies for example... the shock comedy, isn't so shocking anymore. It takes more and more to shock and so they give it to you. People, believers and non believers alike are drawn to Vegas, who advertises themselves as a city for secret sin. "What happens in vegas, stays in vegas" and "Sin City" is their brand!! People joke about it... but still embrace it. The internet is rife with porn. I mean, I googled "Christmas" images the other days and tucked in amongst Santas and nativites, and families in sweaters, was out and out nudity. I realized, I had gotten to the point, that I wasn't that shocked. Internet = porn, everyone knows that, right? UGH. And that is just the blatant stuff. I haven't even started on the less obvious stuff like gossip, slander, etc... all "growth industries."
So... back to the hope. My hope is built in Jesus. The author and perfector of my faith. He can "sensitize" me again. He can fill my life and heart up with love again. Love that can be poured out to those around me. His spirit in me can testify the truth. And He has... after a lot of years, of just going with the flow... not exactly stagnating in my faith, but not exactly rushing forward either, He is doing a new thing. My joy is back. My hope is increasing. I see it not just in myself either, but in many of my friends and family. There is a growing excitement for Christ to come again. And to be found faithful when he does. More and more, I see friends sharing verses on facebook and twitter. More and more, I see them asking for prayer and offering to pray. More and more I see them reaching out in love to an increasingly disconnected culture. It's beautiful and exciting... and it's something I want to remain a part of.
On a more personal note. I guess 2012, will also be exciting for my family, as my baby sister is due to have her first baby!! I almost can't wrap my head around it. AND My little niece Adi, keeps growing more lovely. She is such a blessing. So happy and mischeivous. I can't wait to see her again. It's hard to live so far away from my family that are having babies. I think we have been pretty baby starved for so long that now we can't get enough of them. I wish all my siblings would get married and start having babies!
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