UTOPIA

The animation film Zootopia seems to have embodied the concept of utopia, an imaginary community or society that possesses highly desirable or near-perfect qualities for its members. In Zootopia, the animals eat ice cream, conduct business and live harmoniously together. The Utopia in Zootopia is part of the reasons Judy Hopps, a bunny and the starring in the movie,  longs to be a part of the Zootopian police.

Well, somewhere in the milky way galaxy is our real world, popularly known as Earth, and Zootopia remains to be someone's imagination. If you haven't visited the zoo, or haven't watched NATGEO channels, get it from me, our crocodiles do not eat ice cream, and the Lion does not live harmoniously with the lamb save for the Vegetarian Lioness called little Tyke!

Sir Thomas More, credited with the term "Utopia," envisioned a better land, tapping into the innate desire within humans for an ideal society. Deep within our subconscious, there's an innate yearning for utopia - a place where we envision ourselves thriving, investing, and calling home. Much like the energetic bunny in Zootopia, we aspire to progress our lives within its bounds. We might think about having a house, but if it's in a desert, we'd rather not. We'd prefer a fancy one in Beverly Hills instead.  Continuously, we always look for clues about a better place, probing: Is it secure? Is water easily accessible? What about noise or the threat of floods? We desire illuminated cities during the night and spacious homes. Governments advocate for 24-hour economies, reflecting our collective pursuit of excellence. This notion kind of gained more significance for me after hearing from individuals like Joshua Maponga, who quit the pulpit to champion Africa's liberation. He spoke in his interviews with great passion as though,  if only we did something as Africans, then 'Utopia would arrive'.

Thomas had described an imaginary perfect society in his literature, inspiring optimists who saw it attainable. Essentially, utopia represents humanity's longing for an earthly paradise, akin to Heaven but lacking a divine presence.

Ever heard of the saying, smoke indicates fire? I say the world is covered in smoke, both symbolically and literally. It's burning. In another Swahili proverb, we say, 'Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu,' meaning, the sign of rain is gathering clouds. Now, as I glance upward and witness the clouds gathering, I sense impending rain, you know what I mean? Personally, I see no signs of progress towards a better society or utopia. If anything, things appear to be getting worse.

Governments are increasingly borrowing, modern medical equipment coming in as new diseases emerge that we know nothing about. As we uncover remedies for certain illnesses, new ones emerge. We can talk about antibiotics resistance, pesticide resistance, and many more resistances. Pandemics, wars and rumours of war at a time we are looking to achieve world peace, and the impacts of climate change are just a few examples of the challenges we face.

It seems like all signs are speaking else. Seems like the world, or Earth, is getting ready to shut down. I look at the world population, as  optimistic as I always am, and I'm in doubt whether we'll be able to feed the world in 50 years... or 100 years. If people won't die of hunger in the near future, I'm pretty convinced that many will die of the many prevalent diseases of the future coming in because of the over-reliance of unnatural foods. Animal agriculture, for example, has proven to be the number one contributor of methane gas, a greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, and meat has been linked to all modern diseases. I see in the near future, even vegans won't be spared.

Am I suggesting that we should cease seeking positive outcomes...or stop planting trees...or to stop inventions and innovations? Certainly not. Am I advocating for a halt to living our lives?  Not in the least.

It's perfectly natural to seek utopia. Hieronymus Bosch, an artist, depicted in a drawing 'The Earthly Paradise, the Garden of Eden,' showcasing the human desire for a heavenly existence, reflecting on Eden. Why? Because that is where we were originally meant to reside.  The Garden of Eden, as the Bible teaches, was the initial home where God placed the first parents before sin corrupted this world. This innate desire within all of us, serves to remind us of what we lost in the Garden of Eden but most importantly, it reminds us that we are meant to live in Eden, a heaven down here.

The Good old Book reveals a future surpassing even utopia. After reading, I've come to understand that the overarching plan is to restore to humanity all that was lost with the advent of sin. The story of redemption aims to return humankind to Eden, the earthly paradise, but in an even more splendid form. Why? God will live with us. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. ”

Revelation 21:3 KJV

https://www.unfeignedbible.app/Revelation.21.3. The first two chapters of the Good Book talk about the original plan, the chapters in between talk about sin, its consequences, it's effect for ages and God's solution. The last two chapters talk about a restored home where we live together with the creator of the universe and a call to get on board. Yes, a call to board the ark, if you know what I mean.

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. ”

Revelation 22:17 KJV

https://www.unfeignedbible.app/Revelation.22.17

The world's only hope lies in its destruction, paving the way for renewal as opposed to the Great reset, championed by WEF. The world's only hope is to be made anew.

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. ”

Revelation 21:1 KJV

https://www.unfeignedbible.app/Revelation.21.1

Friend, pursue the goodness life offers, yet keep in mind the promise of a superior and certain land to which God invites us ALL. One day, this world will be transformed anew; heaven will have arrived. It's not a distant dream; heaven will become a reality.

Watch out for part 2