In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings. Jude 8 (NIV).
How’s that culture of disrespect working out for you? Warning: rantings of an older man to follow.
We’re listening to Christmas music these days. In fact, it’s been on the radio here in North Texas for most of a month now. My wife has stations preset into our radio so she can zip from one to another if she gets bored (confession though: I’m the worse channel flipper). Last night, as we were driving home listening to Jessie J on the Christmas station, it hit me.
There really isn’t much good Christmas music being newly recorded. Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Kane Brown, Billie Eilish, The Weeknd, and most of the rest of the stars recording popular music these days just don’t record good Christmas music. Every now and then, a nugget will shine but, for the most part, in my middle-aged, old-man observation, most popular Christmas music isn’t good, probably won’t last, stinks. In fact, just this week, the Billboard Hot 100 chart has re-appearing Christmas songs by 8 artists (6 of whom are actually dead) just in the top 50. None of these are from new artists.
Personally, I think it’s because of our culture of disrespect. Our politics are almost violently divided, and while there are reasons for that, one common cause is that respect has broken down. Our universities and schools have become dysfunctional for the same reason. Ditto advertising, most TV shows, work interactions, and even how we relate as families. All this makes quality suffer. We don’t respect each other.
Dig a little deeper and I’ll bet you find it’s because we first abandoned our respect for God and the angels He gave us, dearly beloved, to get through this thing we call “life” (thank you, Prince, quality artist). Turn away from the Lord and it becomes so easy to turn away from each other.
Jude might agree if he were here today. This fourth observation of his – that ungodly people bring their sad estate on themselves – fits quite well in our anything-goes modern world. The dreamers who turned away, the rebels who rejected authority, the fools who flaunt the angels: they all first embraced the subtle idolatry of disrespect for God. Respect for the Lord had long been waning in the Jewish community of antiquity. Is it any wonder that Judea was occupied by the tyranny of Rome?
At least they didn’t have shoddy Christmas music
The good news is that things can turn around as long as God gives us time. This old man suggests we start on the radio.
For further reading: 2 Peter 2:10, Jude 9
Lord, teach us to respect each other more by reminding us to respect You first.
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Practical Proverbs 