Much of the American populace is mesmerized with “virtual reality” — a technology that affords people the opportunity to interact with a computer-simulated environment. This technology is becoming so sophisticated, that it’s hard to distinguish what’s real from what’s not. For instance, computer simulations are used for pilot and combat training. Amazing! What’s more, these simulations are safe, cost-effective, and so close to real life, that those being trained by it can’t tell the difference.

Back when I was a kid (which wasn’t that long ago!), I wasn’t aware of such technology. For the most part, even VR games weren’t in existence. Atari was “cutting edge” back then, and we didn’t own a video system anyway! We had to rely on our imagination! One day, while watching us kids play, my dad made a connection between our “virtual reality” and the sad state of so many people when it comes to spiritual matters. The poem is entitled Make Believe and conveys spiritual truths and poignant questions worthy of careful reflection. . .

I often watch my children play,
And how amazed am I that they
Are occupied for hours on end
With games that start with “Let‚Äôs pretend.”

They play at “house”, they play at “store”;
They play at “school”, they play at “war”.
They play at “cops and robbers”, too;
There’s nothing little minds can’t do.

Yes, “let‚Äôs pretend” contributes joy
To every little girl and boy;
And drab and dull would childhood be,
If it were not for fantasy.

The thought that weighs upon my mind
Is: Some don’t leave those years behind.
Concerning things “beyond the veil”,
They still let fantasy prevail.

They make believe religion saves,
And scorn the thought that sin depraves;
And so delude themselves within,
That God is dead or winks at sin.

They make believe there is no hell;
They make believe their souls are well;
They reason, under false pretense,
That works will be their sure defense.

Behold, the final, fearful end
Of those, like babes, who still pretend!
For in eternal things, you see,
There is no room for fantasy.

For fantasy oft times conflicts
With that which God on high edicts;
And fiction from the days of youth
Must not displace the written truth.

Because the Bible doth reveal
That mankind’s need for Christ is real.
Imagination has a role,
But not in matters of the soul.

And what of you, good Christian friend?
Do you serve God, or just pretend?
Do you the Holy Spirit grieve,
By service only “make believe”?

This entry was posted on Wednesday, May 2nd, 2007 at 6:29 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.