One blessed word, easily spoken, but one thing since the beginning of history the world has found most difficult to keep and enjoy. There was an article in the London £Times ¤ which said, ŽWhat is wrong with the world? ¢ A reply from G.K. Chesterton, author of the Father Brown stories, said, ŽDear Sir, I am. Yours sincerely. ¢ That, almost certainly, is the answer. The heart of the human problem is the problem of the human heart, and Chesterton had the wisdom to recognise it.
Must we accept that peace will be forever elusive? The indiscriminate and destructive power of modern warfare has certainly reduced the likelihood of global conflict, but greed, power, tyranny, hatred and territorial ambition of the sort that lead to local conflicts may always be with us.
Yet I face the new millennium with renewed confidence. On New Years Eve and New Years Day the world witnessed a remarkable event when lines drawn on the map disappeared, language barriers vanished, cultures intermingled and wealthy nations joined with the third world as we celebrated together a new century brought into our homes through the wonder of satellite television. Nations were joined together as planet earth revolved to face the sun.
I am confident because technology has removed geographical boundaries, destroyed the tyranny of distance and opened hitherto closed doors to the world at large. As midnight on December 31st moved slowly from East to West we observed and respected different cultures; the world saw visions that governments could not block out. Each Sunday, this ŽWord for the Week ¢ flashes into homes and presents the Good News of Jesus in countries where those in authority may hold strongly opposing views. Technology knows no boundaries.
There is a popular song with the title ŽIt ¢s a Small World After All ¢ and technology reminds us of that. Jesus said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37,38). Through technology – satellite television and particularly the personal computer – we have an opportunity to draw people together and bring in the harvest as never before. I sincerely hope that nations will continue to use global communication in the same way as they did last weekend and that Christians will reach out across map lines to encourage those who are searching.
In reply to the question put by the expert in law, Jesus answered: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself'” (Luke 10:27). I was reminded of that Bible passage last weekend as I watched the world unfold on my TV screen. So who IS my neighbor? I can now send a message to a thousand people across the world in less time than it takes me to walk to the nearest house – a mere five minutes away.
ŽLove your neighbor as yourself ¢. Technology brings understanding, knowledge and a sharing of what is good and bad in this world. And that gives me hope for the future and hope for peace.
Have a good week. Pastor Ron.
Optional Bible readings: Luke 10:25-37; John, chapter 16.
This is one of a series of weekly messages of encouragement, now in its fifth year, originating from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. A companion Bible study page is available each week. To subscribe email <> with the words ‘subscribe word’ (or)
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Pastor Ron Clarke JP (Mark 16:15)
An e-mail from the Derwent Valley, near Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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