Corrupted

The days of Noah (Genesis 6) were described as corrupt. This certainly describes an individual corruption by also seems to describe an institutional and systemic corruption. The systems designed to care for the community had been corrupted. Often, the bigger the system gets that is designed to care about people the more prone that institution is to corruption. We have all read the stories of corporate and governmental waste and corruption.

The truth is that God has designed some systems for the care of His people. These systems tend to be smaller and leaner in nature….

Family

Friendship

Local Church

Ironically, these systems appear to be in decline in our culture. The breakdown of the family is real and in crisis. Fewer people have real and authentic friendship. Church attendance is in a state of national decline. The very systems that God gave us to care for one another are in trouble.

Don’t misunderstand, it isn’t that these smaller systems are not corruptible or flawed. Their smallness or leanness doesn’t make them incorruptible; their smallness makes them easier to fix and easier to protect.

So, as followers of Jesus, let’s do 3 things well.

Protect our families.  This is a protection that goes beyond having a great security system for our home. It’s a protection that seeks to lead our family spiritually: praying together, reading God’s word, and having spiritual conversations. It stands on the wall and watches for enemies, deceptions, and lies.

Invest in friendships. This investment goes beyond social media. It develops friendships that enjoy face to face conversation, encouragement, and grace. This conversation is often the greatest form of help we can offer one another.

Enjoy the local church. The local church carries the hope of the world. Jesus. Let’s make attending and serving our church a priority. It will give us an opportunity to help others and will give others an opportunity to help us.

Perhaps the greatest hope for our world is not found in the big but in the small.