The other day -- for the umpteenth time -- I heard someone say they wouldn't want to bring a child into this crazy world of ours.
Now I wouldn't deny our world is kind of crazy.
But...
Refusing to have a child due to current conditions implies the state of the world is worse than it used to be... and assumes it's destined to decline as time goes on.
Yet is this true?
Not according to a recent article in The Federalist.
Consider, for example, some of these changes in the last 25 years:
-- Global poverty is down by more than 25 percent
-- People with access to an improved water source is up by over 2 billion
-- And child mortality rates have fallen by nearly half
Also, in other trends:
-- Battle-related deaths are down
-- Fatalities due to weather are down
-- And the gun homicide rate is even in decline
Plus a bunch of other positive trends detailed in the article.
Now...
There's a lot that can be said about the causes of these improvements...
I for one think they reveal the permeating influence of the gospel...
... as God's people generously and sacrificially apply their gifts to the world around them...
... and even unbelievers -- by way of God's common grace -- employ their talents for good.
But whatever the case... there's no reason current events should cause someone to look to the future without hope.
... The day is coming when the knowledge of the Lord will fill the earth as the waters cover the sea (Hab. 2:14).
Does this mean there are no more battles to fight or dragons to slay?
Definitely not!
But there's certainly no reason a spirit of gloom and doom should lead anyone to forsake God's most fundamental commands...
... like the one to be fruitful and multiply (Gen.1:28).