To those thinking of

To those thinking of
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
Matthew 11:28-30

I look at the news and see young people especially heading off to join radical Islamic groups such as ISIS and I ask myself why.
The answer seems to me strait forward. The Western democracies appear to offer them nothing.
While the latest electronic gadget, fine automobile, jewellery, brand name clothing may appeal to the majority of people in the west. It does not to the minority that are slipping away to join the radical groups.
Our western society with all its rights and freedoms while to my mind the best possible way of life is not for those who have become radicalized.
Back in the 1958  John B. Harrington published a book entitled "Essentials in Christian Faith" it could have been written yesterday.
  It opens with this quote from Paul Gallico in Esquire Magazine in 1948:
"A writer in a popular magazine has written the following words; 'We are all, if you will pardon the expression, Headed for Hell in a handbarrow. If, ever the people of the world stood in need of a spiritual revival, it is now. We are beginning to poison the face of the earth with our miserable presence. The brakes are off. The cart of the world is sliding down the way greased with hatred, ambition, lies, self-seeking and avarice toward the pit.’"
  Harrington notes that Gallico makes no pretense of being "a religious man" noting that  "...for him it is precisely religion in its organized forms which has in part caused the situation he deplores. He is careful to state that it is not "religion" for which he is looking. For in his opinion, religion throughout the history of our culture has advanced its control over human beings by the investment of bigotry and persecution. 
Yet, out of despair over the current human situation he says; ‘The voice for which my heavy spirit is yearning must reach us all... For if it is not heard, we are lost. Something beyond our material enrichment and lust for power and position, some rewards founded on good will, selflessness, and the innate dignity of the human spirit...honour, humility, decency courage."
Another Paul writing to a member of the first century church wrote the following,
"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God" 
                                                                                                         2 Timothy 3:1-4
If Paul Gallico is right and I believe he is, mankind is considerably nearer the bottom of that slope than he was in 1948. Moreover at the bottom of that slope is a very deep lake filled with brimstone.
I think those who are becoming radicalized agree, be it subconsciously or consciously with Paul Gallico. Our very materialistic western society despite all it’s rights and freedoms is lacking in many ways.
Man is more than a physical being. Man has a soul, that materialism as much as it may try cannot fill.
There is nothing wrong with the latest gadget, the nice car, brand name clothing but unfortunately they have become demigods in our society. A society that is turning away from the one true God.
For me as a Christian I feel our society has failed and all the best secular programs as good as they may be will not succeed in reaching those who are truly looking for meaning in life.
It has been my experience that such people are looking for a spiritual answer to the aching in their soul.
The radicals of this world try to offer that fulfilment but ultimately fail just as miserably as our secular society.
I truly believe there is but one solution to stopping the radicalization, particularly of youth and that is by offering them peace for their souls.
Jesus said,
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” 
                                           Matthew 11:28-30
I believe the message of Love for God, one’s neighbour, and even one’s enemy. The message Jesus gave to the world is as relevant to, the individual today as it was when Jesus walked on the earth.
I also believe it is truly the only answer that can stop the radicalization of people today.
Think about it.