Space--The Final Frontier

The world is turning into concrete and steel. For generations now, there has been a steady flow of people, moving from the country to the big city. In 2008, we hit a landmark statistic—over half of the people on the planet were urbanized. In the United States, 80.7 % had chosen the urban life.

And the percentage is growing all over the world. Some predict that in order to keep up with this global shift, between now and 2050 we will have to build one new city every five days.

It’s not just that we’re growing in number. We are simply choosing to live closer to each other. The overall population density of the United States is about 2,534 people per square mile. Whatever the cause—population, technology, money—throughout history we see a trend. Those who were once scattered begin crowding together.

That’s why you have a next door neighbor.

Not so long ago, a great many people lived on their secluded homesteads and the nearest “neighbor” was possibly miles away. As home on the range, became home on the avenue, houses were built in rows and they were built close together. Some houses were only a few feet apart. (Not to mention the numerous apartments where people actually share walls.) Things were getting cozy.

It didn’t seem to bother most people. In fact, some neighborhoods had a certain amount of camaraderie. It wasn’t unheard of for families to come outside and play softball in a vacant lot with other families. People knew the names of those who lived near them. Cups of sugar were borrowed.

All of this has become threadbare nostalgia—almost laughable to the modern citified world. You might see this kind of neighborliness in an episode of The Andy Griffith Show or Leave it to Beaver. But for the most part, those days are gone. We still live next to each other. But our neighborhoods have changed. We want our space.

Houses are built farther apart than they used to be. Porches and front windows are becoming rare antiquities. In some cities, there are more wooden fences than chain-link. If they could somehow be made fashionable, we might eventually resort to moats.

But it’s not just about the number of feet between us. There is a new distance in play now. We hurry home from work to duck inside. We have bigger screens and better cells and faster PCs. Sealed off in our private worlds, we won’t even look outside, let alone walk out the door. The only window we are likely to use is Windows 8.1. We are all arranged in tidy streets, row upon row, together and alone.

But here’s the problem. The very nature of a Christian means he has information vital to every soul. He in essence has the one and only true purpose, the meaning of life, and the solution to death all in one Truth. And here he sits in his little piece of suburbia, while the souls living in this square mile of the world inevitably and quietly drift deeper into spiritual death.

Everyone knows there are significant obstacles. First of all, we’re busy. Everyone is incredibly busy. One of the last things anyone wants to do, after dealing with people all day is come home and deal with even more people. After the exhaustion of work and the snarl of traffic, it’s hard to summon up a little more patience to interact with yet one more potentially annoying person.

We’re also afraid. This is why we have sequestered ourselves in our porch-less fortresses. All of us are wary of each other. To make it even worse, one of the last things anyone wants showing up on their doorstep is a religious person.

What to do?

First, readjust your brain. Remind yourself of the urgency of reaching the lost by remembering what’s at stake for any soul living without God. Keep in mind that the great majority of the people living around you are most likely very unhappy on a deep level. We would probably be astounded at the misery that sighs in the dark every time the sun sets on your block.

Readjusting your brain will require the Word. “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect” (Romans 12:2). The only way to really be of use to the lost is to “let the Word of Christ richly dwell in you” (Colossians 3:16). The world doesn’t need another religious dabbler who doesn’t know what he’s talking about. Plus, when you make the Word of God a daily part of your life, it stops being merely a handy reference and it becomes who you are.

Next, don’t forget the top two items on the to-do list for any true Christian. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27).

Love God.

Love people.

If you do that, then eventually you’re going to unlock your door and step outside.

Then go for a walk. It’s good for you. Plus, you’ll meet people. The people who are hurrying home to duck inside. Say hi as they dart past you. Eventually, after bumping into them on a regular basis, you might have a conversation. When that happens, don’t resort to religious jargon or catch-phrases. Just talk.

But be sure to listen. Most likely, you will be dealing with someone who doesn’t have anyone who genuinely listens to them. You’re the person who doesn’t “merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of other” (Philippians 2:4). You’re the one who is “quick to listen” (James 1:19). Listening will change conversations to significant conversations. Significant conversations can lead to the Word.

You won’t need to burst out with John 3:16 or Acts 2:38. There will indeed come a time to sit down with the Bible. But for now, you’re just talking about life—about moral decisions, about tough choices, about the challenges of family and friends. And because the Word is richly dwelling in you, you will be the one who has insight. You’ll be the one who, despite your own share of daily challenges, will be living life. You’ll be the one who seems to be getting it right.

Go for a walk. Or shovel a walk. Or have a garage sale. Just don’t stay inside all the time. Cross the empty space that stretches between you and the people who live around you. A little effort and you will find yourself having conversations that could change the destination of souls.