Again as an ADHD person, my mind thinks of strange things that relate to what is taking place today in society.
If you have ever read the book Pied Piper of Hamelin you see several possible meanings to the story of a man in 1284 who had a magical flute (pipe) and was called to town to get rid of rat infestation. When the towns people would not pay him for his successful eradication of the rats, he played his magical pipe to lure all the children away and devastate the town of Hamelin Germany.
In the 1960's life was much simpler in that we had a respect for our local, county, state, and federal governments because we did not know all the details of the lives of our politicians. Our lives as youth were more concerned with being kids and not with the our social networks or the operation of our governments. We did not have the internet, traffic cameras, and many of the "instant" gratification products like we have today. Therefore it took some time to get information about California events or events in other parts of the world. Ignorance was bliss. Aww. . . the "good ol' days".
Our best information regarding what was happening locally sometimes came from the party lines of our telephones. If you picked up the phone receiver quietly enough, you could hear people (sorry but it was usually two ladies in our neighborhood) talking about their neighbors or you. I remember my aunt telling someone off who was talking about her as she listened in on the party line. That ended up being embarrassing for her as her husband later made her go see each one of them to apologize.
Now back to the Pied Piper of today. People today get the majority of their information by electronic means. Interaction of opinions are done via Tweets and Facebook posts. Instead of being a free thinker, we grasp at a written word to be truth then follow and embellish the words to others. Any writer or politician can be charismatic enough to get a million followers on Twitter. That's exactly what's happening to everyone today. Our youth do not have a chance to be free thinkers which is really sad.
The words may not be true but if they meet the charismatic criteria it will draw people of all ages to follow that person to the destruction of themselves and others. We just don't question why this piper is such a draw. We blindly march in line with the millions.
One thing I like about the leadership in our church is that they challenge us "find out for ourselves" if the words they speak are true. Now that makes me dig into the internet for differing opinions and the Bible for confirmation of the words. Yet it still comes down to what Pied Piper am I following. It is the man or woman who stands on stage, on an internet video, on writings found on-line, or the man who loved me so much to give His life for me.
Electronic and social media are great and can be a vital tool for education and training but has to be tempered with some common sense.
This Pied Piper I have been following since 1961 has never lead me to destruction. ( I can do that very well on my own). Therefore think about which Pied Piper you are following today? Some of our leaders today make their money by leading you in the wrong direction. Others do it for power of financial or political gain.
Just know that the Creator of the Universe will never lead you away from the truth and love for life. A life that will last for eternity.
Who is your Pied Piper?
