Individual in Trouble

Susan Boyle of Britain’s Got Talent and MPs in general just have come under the most intense public scrutiny.  While Susan went to the Priory, MP’s offices were being checked on regularly for possible suicides.

When have individuals in the public eye had to bear more stress than this?  Dr David Kelly – government weapons expert who took his own life in 2003?  Stephen Fry, who went missing in 1995 (later found abroad), after reading press reviews of his one man show?  Margaret Thatcher, removed from office in 1990?

But everyone knows about pressure of some sort.  New and old choices of escapism, and the mere fantasy of them are a dominating force in our culture.  We usually admit that relationships are the most important spice of life, but we’re running away from them more than ever.

This morning I watched a download of a system being developed for XBox in which the character will recognise your speech, your movement, and even your emotions.  In return you have fun, friendship and care shown to you by this 3-D virtual human image.  Maybe this is some kind of point of no return for escapism from reality.

Jesus Christ is so relevant to the stressed individual in 2009.  Following him is not a futile attempt by some traditionalist movement to apply ancient morals, in an era where they don’t belong.  Jesus said that not only is he the way, but that he is the truth and the life.  So he helps people face their particular sense of inadequacy or fear with the substance of his promise never to leave us.

God becomes a relationship reality when you ask the Holy Spirit to make Jesus your own personal Saviour from monotony, purposelessness or even despair.  The sin of the human condition is confronted and deleted, through forgiveness, when you become part of the story of Jesus.