GlocalNet

So much is happening around us right now - it’s hard to take it all in and make sense of it.  How do you keep up with it and how does it affect the whole world?  It’s near impossible. 

GEOPOLITICALLY - Russia continues to withdraw and there’s a chill that’s beginning to be felt more and more towards the West - old competitiveness is emerging.  Brazil is growing fast in every way - and pulling away from the US exerting her own influence.  Mexico in TIME magazine is called the most dangerous place in the world right now.  We may wake up to find that the violence of Afghanistan came to our own backyard without us realizing it.  Pakistan is playing Near Eastern cat and mouse, smile and wink, and disguised transparency.  Islam grows in Europe - and the radicals don’t just scare the West, they scare Muslims as well - and no one has a good solution on how to deal with it.  In our own country, politicians joke, laughing, make fun of the other party, blaming everyone but themselves - while they destroy our country for the sake of power and control. 

ECONOMICALLY - the world is in a mess - and sadly the US helped put it there with all the Wall Street shenanigans.  Many countries are trying to get off the dollar and figure out a new currency that will work - it could have been the Euro - but with all the mess with Greece, now Portugal, and Spain and Italy close behind – it’s doubtful their economics engines are better - but what? 

TECHNOGICALLY we are so connected.  Nothing is local - everything is global.  As people come of age - one nation sees another nation fight for its rights and the power of communication is inspiring the whole world to see a different way of life.  YET, the primary thing connectivity could offer is education and commerce - but that hasn’t happened yet.  I’m dreaming of the day when children all over the world can sign on and get educated.  It’s hard to understand how billions and billions of dollars - no trillions and trillions have been poured into Africa and the state of affairs is in such chaos. 

RELIGION has become the new global tribalism.  It is the one constant - faith in God - that can make sense of a rootless and changing world.  Instead of putting its hope in God, instead it’s putting its hope in political power.  That is a formula for disaster.  There is too much isolationism, not enough bridging.  There is too much blaming the other instead of challenging your own.  There is a huge blurring of lines and confusion of what is faith and what it means to live in a pluralistic world.  I’m not convinced my generation or the one beneath me can make the transition.  I’m pretty optimistic about my son and daughter’s generation - if we can just hold it together until they get there.  As Zogby says, they are the first Globals and they think more in terms of a “net” instead of a “line.” 

JESUS CHRIST - however, remains the same yesterday, today, and forever.  Some people who are Christians will read that and say – yes, and agree - but in reality, they are thinking of forms of church, religion, worship, and denominationalism.  Peter Drucker said the one who can handle change the most is the one who has a changeless inner-core.  My hope is built on Jesus and what he did.  No matter how challenging, hard, or confusing this world is - with Jesus there is hope and sense in the midst of a world gone wild.  His model, his example, his love, his salvation, his presence, his extreme bridging will be our only hope.  To respect his example is one thing - for his presence to embody or incarnate within - is quite another.  Jesus - be glorified.