One of the men of my church has an interesting hobby. He loves to "people watch", as he calls it. While his wife shops at Wal-Mart he just takes a seat on the bench and watches. He observes people's habits, their personalities, and their mannerisms. I have recently discovered that he is not the only one who finds "people watching" much more satisfying than "bird watching". I ,too, now enjoy watching folks. There are some people who have brought the practice into the 21st century. They love to "people watch" online. I must confess that I am a Facebook "stalker". I do not post many things, but I sure do love reading what other people are up to.
During my 19 plus years in ministry I have discovered that it is all about people. I, essentially, am in the people business. Isn't that what Jesus was all about? He was not so concerned about systems, formality, and tradition. He was concerned about people and their desperate predicament. I always preach that Jesus had a clear job description. It is found in Luke 19:10: "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost". If you are not in the people business, ministry is not for you.
What have I discovered in my observation of people? Many things. However, one has begun to haunt me. It is this: mankind desperately wants to believe in something. In every culture and in every age man has sought out something to believe in.
I once knew a woman who was convinced that Elvis was alive. There was no swaying her opinion on the matter. She was passionate about "The King". You and I have both witnessed the throngs of people that flock from all over the world to Graceland on the anniversaries of his birth as well as his death. They weep and mourn and they celebrate and they fellowship. They are as devoted as any disciple could ever be. Their homes are decorated with Elvis memorabilia. Their vanity plates spell out a tribute to the king. Some wear their hair like Presley and even name their children after him. They believe.
Others have similar obsessions. For some it is celebrities, Bigfoot, or the Loch Ness Monster. For others it is a sports franchise. I think a study should be made of rabid sports fans. How many people would show up for church and sit there for hours on a hard seat in the sleet and the rain? Yet millions do that every weekend to support "their" team. Be it Sasquatch, Area 51, Michael Jackson, the Bulldogs, or the rebels: everybody believes in something.
I had the chance to sit down with an atheist a few months ago. We had a spirited debate. In the course of the discussion I discovered that he did have faith, a very deep faith. He had faith in science. He is a very brilliant young man. He is well versed in physics and genetics and philosophy. I was impressed to say the least. At the end of the meeting I complimented him on his faith. He asked what I meant. I explained to him that I admired his faith in science. I conveyed there are moments when my faith in God is not as strong as his faith in science. You see, he believes that stuff. He has bought in completely. I did not try to sway him. Only the Holy Spirit can do that. However, I did ask some pointed questions about his "faith". First, I asked him where he learned all of this. The obvious answer was "books" I went on to ask, "Has the science ever changed? Have there ever been any revisions?" Again, the obvious and honest answer is "yes". Yet, he still believes. Now that's faith! I respected his beliefs and he respected mine. I choose the inerrant word of God that has never changed and he chooses the last edition of the science book. He chooses to believe that you and me and all we see is the result of evolution. I choose to believe that if there is design, there must be a Designer. If this is a creation, there must be a Creator.
The fastest growing religion in the world is not Islam or Christianity. It is the cult of "global warming". It is astounding how many people, with a need to believe swallowed this lie. When the high priest (Al Gore) spoke, they listened. We now find a lot of people in an embarrassing situation. However, I don't hear anybody saying, "Oops, I was wrong." Recent leaks reveal that the data was doctored, the photos were photo-shopped, and the satellite imagery forged. In a nutshell "we got hoodwinked". The government and the labor unions bought the car industry with the provision that they must produce "green cars". The hopes and dreams of the people of North Mississippi are crushed by a monstrous empty Toyota plant at Blue Springs. This plant was to produce the Toyota Prius. A car that nobody wants and dealers can't give away. Our school children are being brainwashed every day with the notion of "mother earth". We celebrate "earth day". The Bible said this would happen. Romans 1:25 says "Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever". It all goes back to a need to believe in something.
Now, don't misunderstand me. I proclaim that Christians should be the original environmentalists. God gave man the earth to subdue and to care for. We are to be good stewards of all that God trusts us with. However, we also need to know that this is not our home. We cannot create heaven on earth. That's the problem with most of these "tree huggers". Their hearts' compass is set on this place. They have no hope of heaven, so they attempt to create a utopia in the here and now. Man, if they think it's hot now....well you know.
Blaise Pascal wrote “There is a God shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any created thing, but only by God, the Creator, made known through Jesus” In other words, we can try everything but only one thing will fit. Jesus said in John 14:6 , "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me".
Try people watching. It is awesome. Notice what excites them. Notice what they cheer for. Take notice of what they hate. One of our great modern day prophets, Robert Zimmerman, (you may know him as Bob Dylan) put it this way: "It might be the Devil, or it might be the Lord but you gotta serve somebody". Thanks Bob (evidently a fellow people watcher).
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