What Is Wrong

As someone who was in my office yesterday asked, "What is wrong with this world?"

It reminded me of a story about one of my favorite authors, G.K. Chesterton, who was a philosopher, Christian apologist, and even political commentator known for his insight and wit on a variety of subjects. He was in his prime as a prolific writer about a century ago in England.

In 1912, The London Times asked several prominent authors to write essays on the subject "What's Wrong with the World?" Chesterton's essay took the form of a very short letter to the editor:

Dear Sirs,

I am.

Sincerely yours,

G.K. Chesterton

It was typical Chesterton, succinct and very much to the point. It was not the expected lofty opinion of a respected author and thinker as much as a statement of his own humble position. Instead of finding someone else to blame, he looked past the specks in everyone else's eyes to see the plank in his own.

It was, stated in a simple yet profound way, an important theological proposition of the ultimate problem with the world, the fallen nature of humanity. I am...what's wrong with the world.

Sometimes, when we see evidence of the confusion and corruption and depravity of this world, and when we are tempted to wring our hands and wonder why those bad people don't straighten up and fly right (like us), we all need to be reminded that, like Pogo, "we have met the enemy, and he is us." A good humbling look in the mirror is healthy for all of us every now and then, just to be reminded of who we are, and who we are not.

Fortunately, that's not the end of the story. Thanks be to God, that He has given us His unfathomable gift of grace so that though we may be what is wrong with the world, He has made us right through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ.

May His grace sustain you today, even in the chaos of the world we live in. I'm praying for you, as I hope you are for me, and look forward to seeing you on Sunday.

--Pastor Ken

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