The "race that stops a nation" was on again this year. But to be honest with you, I forgot all about it until this morning when I was on my way to the train and a lady walked past with a really nice clip in her hair - I just thought, 'Wow, she went to a lot of effort to do her hair for work' and thought nothing further about it. As I got on the train, I saw another lady with a pink fascinator in her hair, and then it clicked! It's really quite interesting that the thing that stops this nation of Australia, is one that is based ultimately on gambling.
Apparently, this year, Australia spent up to $150 million on this one race! That's quite incredible when you remember that our world is going into what is going to be potentially a global recession.
But I guess, I can see how one can be lured into the temptation of gambling through things like the Melbourne Cup. Last year, I entered the Office Sweepstakes (it cost me $2), and I came out winning second prize - which ended up being something like $6. Afterwards, I started thinking things like 'man, if I put $20 on it I would've won $60!' and so on. I never ended up going to a TAB after that (my conscience kicked up enough of a fuss about contemplating the initial 'what-if' thoughts), but it just became quite clear to me how people can get carried away by the thrill of winning to keep chasing that thrill again and again until the point that they declare bankruptcy. I dunno, it may seem like a harmless day of fun, but it just seems as though there are so many seemingly-harmless things in this world that make us turn our eyes away from Jesus.
Apparently, this year, Australia spent up to $150 million on this one race! That's quite incredible when you remember that our world is going into what is going to be potentially a global recession.
But I guess, I can see how one can be lured into the temptation of gambling through things like the Melbourne Cup. Last year, I entered the Office Sweepstakes (it cost me $2), and I came out winning second prize - which ended up being something like $6. Afterwards, I started thinking things like 'man, if I put $20 on it I would've won $60!' and so on. I never ended up going to a TAB after that (my conscience kicked up enough of a fuss about contemplating the initial 'what-if' thoughts), but it just became quite clear to me how people can get carried away by the thrill of winning to keep chasing that thrill again and again until the point that they declare bankruptcy. I dunno, it may seem like a harmless day of fun, but it just seems as though there are so many seemingly-harmless things in this world that make us turn our eyes away from Jesus.
No comments:
Post a Comment