In the last 100 years or so, our world has experienced what social scientists call massive urbanization.

Well, let me explain so I can illustrate what I'm trying to say.

200 years ago, 3% of the world's population lived in cities.

Now, it's well over 80% of the world population live in cities.

Now I remember during the days of my graduate schools in the 80s,

and the professor would ask the question,

where do you find most of the crimes in the small towns who are in the city? Well, the answer is always the city. Where do you find most of the pollution in the city? Where do you find most of the isolation and loneliness in the city? Where do most people want to live

in the city? Now, sometimes you see these movie stars and celebrities when they're being

interviewed and they talk about their life and they say how they grew up in a

small town and they will tell you that they could not wait to get to the city. They couldn't wait

because of the allure of the city, because of the glamour and the glitter in the city becomes

irresistible. After all, there is a fame in the city becomes irresistible.

After all, there is a fame in the city.

There are opportunities in the city.

There are anonymity in the city.

There's enough entertainment to keep you busy and running around

and don't think of God in the city.

There are lots of activities to keep you running

haggard, literally, in the city. And one of the great challenges for believers in the 21st century

is how do we live in the city of man, wherever we are, with all of its problems, with all of

its difficulties, with all of its challenges, and all of its distractions, but keep our eyes

on the city of God, to which we belong.

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