This talk was delivered at a Youth Club in Sunderland - Feb '08
At War with Infinite Complacency!
Watch 'War of the Worlds' (2005 edition, Tom Cruise) 0:00:56 - 0:02:30
I don't know if you ever think about the things you don't think about...if you know what I mean! Our dog is particularly good at concentrating on one or two things that are really important to him - Food and Walks. He could be in a room that is quietly crumbling around him, he could have a deadly virus or tumour that is about to cut his life short but, from his perspective as long as he gets his walks and food, he is OK!
To a degree we are all like that aren't we. We are like ostriches that bury our heads in the sand.
But what if there are things, big things, important life changing things that we avoid that, if only we would think listen and understand would change our lives?
In the intro to the movie 'War of the worlds' that we have just seen, it says that
'With infinite complacency men went to and fro around the globe confident of our empire over this world...Yet...'
The film of course is a fictional story, following a popular pattern with themes of aliens, their attacking the earth and mankind's, fight to survive. But what is fascinating is that the films initial evaluation of mankind living in 'infinite complacency' is true.
How complacent are we, on a global level when we hear the environmental danger our world is in? Most of us show relatively little concern and continue with infinite complacency.
How complacent are we, on a personal level when so many of us know the risks of living a high fat and calorie and low exercise lifestyle? The majority of us show significant levels of complacency and carry on anyway.
But more importantly yet, how complacent are we when we consider, or rather don't consider our purpose as human beings. Is it just about living, fighting to survive and then dying. Most of us have more of a sense of self-worth than that. We think we are worth more than a common snail or worm. But why? And why are we so often not willing to consider the explanation and the alternative.
'With infinite complacency men went to and fro around the globe - confident of our empire over this world...Yet...'
What if the power ruling over the empire of this world is not ours? What if there is another who rules both this world, and us, and has shown himself to us. What are the consequences of infinite complacency if this is true?
And that is exactly what the Bible claims. Jesus' close friend John wrote these words at the start of his account of Jesus' life.
'The one who is the true light, who gives light to everyone, was going to come into the world. But although the world was made through him, the world didn't recognise him when he came. Even in his own land and among his own people, he was not accepted. ' John 1:9-11
Speaking of Jesus, John says he, the one through whom the world was made, the one who gives light to everyone was coming into the world. The claims for Jesus are bold. That he made the world - which means he was more than just a good guy and an impressive teacher and leader. He was God. And he also claims that he is the light. He exposes truth and gives life. He gives meaning to life and helps us to understand who we are.
But...the people, even then live in infinite complacency. The world didn't recognise him and didn't accept him - despite who he was. And the same is true today. Many people live knowing the name, even using the name of Jesus, but not accepting who he is and what he claims. Living lives of infinite complacency.
But John says there is an alternative. He goes on -
'But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God.' 1 John 1:12
The opposite of infinite complacency about life, about meaning, about who we are and about where we have come from is hearing, understanding and considering what our maker tells us about who we are and why we are here. That is why we do these 5 min slots each week and that is why there is a hope and meaning to life. Everyone who believes and accepts Jesus becomes a child of God, a member of his family, with the rights and inheritance and status of being in his family. If you will believe - trust what he says about why he came, why he died on the cross and rose from the dead, and if you will accept - accept that you need his forgiveness. After all you have tried to run your life and the world as though you are in charge, not him. Accept that he now runs the world and your life and that he gives you a future.
It's a simple choice - infinite complacency or humble belief and acceptance. So which is it?