Some people send me Fwd. Emails mostly of American origin. I
usually delete these before reading them. I have always regretted opening them, not for
their often extreme political views but for their scaremongering attitudes to
anything not sanitised as middle class religious right.
When we lived in America we had a family code term to
describe anything that was “over the top” patriotism. “flaggety-flag” we would
say to each other as a warning that here comes another stand up and put your
hand on your heart moment. Oh we are so cynical about patriotism us Kiwis!
Sadly our reserve about patriotism is well supported by
history. Those who trumpet patriotism and freedom often do so from a fear-driven
motivation or for political gain and cannot be trusted. Hitler has had many
copycats in our times.
The world is what we make it for ourselves. If we are gloomy
about the future or worried about the various forces seeking world domination,
we will feel powerless and futile. On the other hand we can keep our eyes fixed
on Jesus and be filled with hope and make ourselves a contribution to life.
True believers have always been the inventors and innovators of positive
developments in the world. What will you be doing in this new year of
opportunity? Hiding under the covers of negativity or welcoming possibilities?
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