“I live in a small world,” said a good friend the other day. I always enjoy talking with him because even though he lives in “a small world” he’s still a thinker. After my friend left, I asked my wife what she thought, and she said most people live in a small world.
By “small world” my friend meant the here-and-now, daily grind, down and dirty, just everyday reality. In America, that’s a pretty safe place to live compared with the rest of the world.
This July 4th our neighborhood had a parade with flags waving and noise makers to celebrate our Independence. We grilled hamburgers and hotdogs and ate watermelon and ice cream, and we celebrated with sparklers and fireworks. And, we thanked God for all His blessings while recognizing none of them are merited.
July 4th is a small world celebration. Fewer than 5 percent of the world’s population are Americans, and today half of us are no longer proud to be Americans. Gallup reported in 2003, 70 percent of Americans were extremely proud to be Americans. By 2016 only 52 percent are extremely proud to be Americans.
American society has shifted radically away from “traditional” values, and many people are mad or afraid…or, both!
What happened?
The world has quickly gotten smaller. We are continually barraged with world news, local news, gossip news, along with choices…so many choices. Have you realized how many kinds of cereals adorn shelves in grocery stores? For all practical matters, there are no one-of-a-kind products or services any more. We have to choose.
In today’s America we can choose our gender, ethnicity, or even species on any given day, and then change it again when we feel like it! We value chameleons, blending in, going with the flow, and not rocking the boat.
Another good friend years ago said he made all the big decisions in his family: peace in the Middle East, foreign affairs, and the economy. His wife made all the little decisions: where they would live, what car they would drive, work, family, church and other associations. He didn’t live in a small world.
In a big world, will the end times come? The end hasn’t come yet, though it’s been prophesied throughout the centuries, particularly during perilous times like WWII or Y2K…. Would we recognize the end times? No.
Interestingly, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all agree Messiah/Jesus will come in the end times and completely change the world. Ironically, the vast majority of the world live in small worlds and don’t believe this. And, that makes it so! Reality is what we believe. Ignorance is bliss. Ignore it and it will go away.
About 2,600 years ago, or so, God told the prophet Daniel what would happen: “But as for you, Daniel conceal these words and seal up the book until the end of time; many will go back and forth, and knowledge will increase.” Daniel 12:1-5
At no time in the history of the world have people been able to “go back and forth” as much as we can today. And, at no time in history has knowledge increased as rapidly. Big world reality.
Are we living at the end of time? Would we know it if we were? Not likely.
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Daniel L. Gardner is a syndicated columnist who lives in Starkville.. You may contact him at
PJandMe2@hotmail.com
