Christian Living

STOP THE WORLD AND LET ME OFF

by Charles (Chuck) Robey
01/27/22
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PROLOGUE

I once found myself surrounded by a host of wild animals. Tigers on the right of me; lions on the left of me; elephants in the front and rear.

“What did you do?”  I just jumped off the merry-go-round.

I don’t remember it.  Mom told me about it later in life.  She had taken me to a street carnival to ride the carousel, not realizing I would be instantly afraid of the make-believe animal rides, until the ride had started its rounds. The only saving grace for Mom was to sit with me in the handicap bench section, no matter how embarrassing. Mom said I was yelling at the top of my voice, “Mom, Mom stop this world and let me off.”

Fast forward to today’s liberal political generation. Are you an American who is concerned about the level of progressive programming, brainwashing and indoctrination we are currently seeing in our nation? I surely hope and pray so.

Have you read your newspaper, tuned in the television news, listened to talk radio, surfed the Internet, talked to your next-door neighbor, or even listened in the modern church service lately? If so, what’s happening to We the People? Where are they hiding out these days? 

Where are we headed, as a nation, as a people? What will be the final outcome? Do you want to stop the world and get off?  Well, I’ve been there a time or two. I now rest my case, with respect to today’s socialist American culture. If only we could stop today’s progressive world and get off!

Being older than dirty and twice as gritty, somehow, I wonder about the deepening anxiety and the fear of the future. Is it time for us as a nation and a people to accept the new normal of progressive living?  Surely our lifestyle cannot continue as it is now for long. Is God’s hand still at work in it all? (Daniel 2:21-23)

Nowadays, my primary morning chore is to first tune in to the television, to see what I’ve missed overnight. Wow, do my eyes get opened wide occasionally! Sadly to report, the more I tune in to today’s social media, the more our current culture is progressing downward.

When I compare today's happenings, to that of days gone by, I have to pinch myself. Is it all a bad dream? And yes, that’s where we will continue, a dream of dreams. Good or bad, I’ll leave it up to you. My latest fiction dream parable, that of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning entitled, “Stop the World and Let Me Off.”

Home at last, the week behind me. I was exhausted from another grueling week at the Bible College, and all I could do was to flop down in my old comfortable recliner, the one held together by duct tape. Then it happened again.

My dream world suddenly took me to a rare and unusual setting. I found myself aboard a most unusual old-fashioned carousel with colorful, welcoming blinking lights. The happy ride was playing fun-filled, uplifting music and it quickly put me in the mood for a good time.

It was not a normal setting designed for the kiddies. The entire arrangement was planned and intended for adults.The customary riding animals were not on board, only plush, ornate seating. About half the seats were trimmed in blue, the other half in red.

Sitting rather comfortably in the big ornate chairs were people of all dress, all walks of life, and all nationalities. Professional business people rode along with those of the poorest of persuasions, all keeping time with the special carnival music.

I couldn’t help but notice the demeanor of the two groups. Those in the blue trimmed seats seemed somewhat uncomfortable, not well adjusted to such a freewheeling atmosphere. It was obvious that they were not able to socialize well with those in the red seats. Their mannerisms, appearance and conduct were hard to overlook.

The red seat occupants were just the opposite. All were very polite, outgoing, and well-mannered. Their repeated attempts to reach across the aisle were met with total resistance. They were completely ignored by the blues.  

Then came the first stop. As the carousel slowed, the blues were quick to be the first to grab the big brass ring as they jumped off, in an attempt to gain a free ride. Most seemed to grab the steel ones, nonetheless.

As the carousel stopped, the blues' territory became obvious. The socialistic atmosphere instantly took on an air of disorder, muddled and confused at best.   

Now why would they want to get off in the middle of such chaos? Lawlessness and destruction abounded everywhere, and there was no law enforcement in sight. This environment didn’t seem to faze the blues, however, for they seemed right at home in the mix.  

The next stop was the reds' turn. Taking full advantage of the blues not getting the brass, the reds tried their luck at grabbing the brass rings as they jumped off. To the surprise of them all, the brass rings seemed to be plentiful.

The reds apparently felt right at home. Their surrounding territory was just the opposite  of the blues, a real prime example of heaven on earth, a utopian atmosphere. Churches were wide open, revival was obvious. Neighbor was helping neighbor, friend helping friend. There was no need of official law enforcement, since the masses seemed to handle it all in-house.

I couldn’t help but ponder it all. What’s the intent, the lesson to be learned here? Is it a dream?  Is it real? My wonderment continued. If it's a dream, it had to be the most astonishing of all my dreams. And what’s the hidden message? Again, I continued the thought. If it's faith-based, I pray it will soon be revealed.

As if by divine prompting, the answer was forthcoming. My prayer was unexpectedly answered. It had to be providential direction. A ray of sunshine burst through my mancave window and illuminated my open Bible. The Scripture was highlighted.

(Jeremiah 29:11-13) ”For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.”

Then, on my knees came my prayer. Please read (I Chronicles 29:10-16)

EPILOGUE

Did you enjoy your make-believe carousal ride?  Would you have been so lucky as to grab the brass ring? What our great Republic needs is more people grabbing the brass rings, would you not agree?  

According to Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland's delegates to the Constitutional Convention in 1787, a lady asked Dr. Benjamin Franklin at its conclusion, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?

Benjamin Franklin replied, "A republic...if you can keep it.“

We should not be blinded by today’s cultural upheavals, and not minimize the impact these trends are having on faith-based living. We must also realize we are in a spiritual war of many unseen battles. As our enemies, the demonic hosts of Satan are always assembled for mortal combat. (Ephesians 6:12)

So, what may be the future of this great Republic, the land of the free, and the home of the brave? I have my opinion. I’m sure you have yours.Go ahead. I’d love to hear from you. I’m waiting.

IF YOU LIKED THIS ONE- YOUR SURE TO LIKE THE REST !!!!!!!!!!!

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