As we come around to Christmas again and another Year and thinking of the world we are faced with today I came across an article written in 1995  by Dr. R. Moorehead, entitled ‘The Paradox of our Age.’ As it is still relevant  today I would like to share it with you. I have modified and adapted the original and given a different ending.

The paradox of our time in history is that we spend more, but have less; we buy more (especially at Christmas) but enjoy it less.

We have higher incomes but, lower morals.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values.

We have bigger homes, but smaller families; we have more conveniences but less time.

These are days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses but broken homes.

We have learned to make a living, but not a life.

 

We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge but less discernment.

We have more experts but more problems; the we have more medicine but less wholeness.

We have added years to life, but not life to years.

 

We talk too much and love too seldom.

We spend billions to get to a planet, but can’t be bothered to cross the road to meet our new neighbour.

We’ve conquered outer space but (as evidenced from the decline in mental health) not our inner space.

We’ve split the atom, but not our prejudice.

We’ve become long on quantity, but short on quality.

 

These are times of tall men, and short  character; of steep profits and shallow relationships.

These are times of peace movements, but domestic warfare; more leisure, but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.

It is a time when there is much in the shop window and nothing in the  stockroom.

If this all sounds a bit despairing – then take heart.

Because God sent His Son Jesus to live among us, these are also times when we can seek the overflowing Grace of God through His  Son.

These are times when we He can fill our stockroom full of love, of right values, strong relationships and holiness.

These are times when we can know and receive Gold’s love and with it abundant peace and overflowing joy.

For Jesus presents us with an eternal paradox.

Though very God He became man.

Though creator He became creature, a speck on a speck of His created universe.

Though rich He became poor that we might become rich.

Though we His creation rebelled against Him He valued us so much that He emptied Himself in absolute love for us, and gave Himself in sacrificial death and resurrection that we might have eternal life.

And Jesus tells us that whoever gives his life for His sake will find it.

So is this a time, as we approach 2018, when we start believing, if we don’t already, and giving ourselves in the service of  God and each other? A time to find the true meaning and purpose for our lives.