OfferUp made its debut in 2011 as a mobile driven marketplace advertising "gently owned" merchandise. This company was named one of the hottest startup companies in 2015 and partnered with local law enforcement across the country with "safe spots" where users could go to exchange money for merchandise. Law Enforcement of course has come to know this platform well as victims of robbery, theft, and even homicide began being reported across the country. In this profession, you learn that any good thing can be used for evil.
One great thing OfferUp provides customers is their "safe spots". Across our great country, just the presence of law enforcement officers may provide a sense of safety to the public, but what about "safe spots"? In analyzing crime, officers are many times dispatched to areas dubbed "high crime spots", but the low crime areas sometimes get overlooked and later overrun with crime if we put all of our resources in just one area. A recent interview with some car thieves out of St Petersburg Florida claimed that they actually researched "low crime" areas online to assist them in where to break into and steal cars because they figured the officers would be patrolling the high crime areas. The problem is, we cant cover all the spots all the time. This leaves some of our most valuable areas vulnerable.
This too happens in our life when we cling to one spot we deem as "safe". Maybe we think this area is under constant surveillance, guarded by SWAT teams, and unbreakable. But then it happens, the one spot you have put all your resources in crashes around you. Your security was not fail-safe and you are destroyed. What then? You are vulnerable and the robber grabs your "merchandise", and runs away with your valuables. You were counting on a payment, but instead walk away beaten, bruised, and empty-handed. You are a victim whose safe spot was exposed and sabotaged.
Many times you may feel alone, and the pain can be unbearable. No comforting words seem to mend the sabotage of the spirit. Isaiah has some words of encouragement for the victims littered across the world that would span out across generations. Isaiah 35:3-4 says "Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.' 'Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be Strong; fear not!' 'Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.' 'He will come and save you!'"
Now, don't take away this passage as just about vengeance. It is so much more about hope. We can count on the fact that we will be made stronger and be able to stand. At the time of the robbery, we may feel in despair, but we are not to be anxious and fearful. We must trust that God will restore us. He will come and save us. What a great promise. Even OfferUp cannot offer this guarantee. We cannot put all our hope in one or two safe spots. We must make sure that we put our trust and safety in God. When we do that, we can trust that he will pour out his peace and love into our hearts. God is never trying to sell us anything. He just wants to be the surveillor, the SWAT commander, the constant that we go to not just during critical incidents but throughout the routine patrols. God Bless!
One great thing OfferUp provides customers is their "safe spots". Across our great country, just the presence of law enforcement officers may provide a sense of safety to the public, but what about "safe spots"? In analyzing crime, officers are many times dispatched to areas dubbed "high crime spots", but the low crime areas sometimes get overlooked and later overrun with crime if we put all of our resources in just one area. A recent interview with some car thieves out of St Petersburg Florida claimed that they actually researched "low crime" areas online to assist them in where to break into and steal cars because they figured the officers would be patrolling the high crime areas. The problem is, we cant cover all the spots all the time. This leaves some of our most valuable areas vulnerable.
This too happens in our life when we cling to one spot we deem as "safe". Maybe we think this area is under constant surveillance, guarded by SWAT teams, and unbreakable. But then it happens, the one spot you have put all your resources in crashes around you. Your security was not fail-safe and you are destroyed. What then? You are vulnerable and the robber grabs your "merchandise", and runs away with your valuables. You were counting on a payment, but instead walk away beaten, bruised, and empty-handed. You are a victim whose safe spot was exposed and sabotaged.
Many times you may feel alone, and the pain can be unbearable. No comforting words seem to mend the sabotage of the spirit. Isaiah has some words of encouragement for the victims littered across the world that would span out across generations. Isaiah 35:3-4 says "Strengthen the weak hands and make firm the feeble knees.' 'Say to those who have an anxious heart, Be Strong; fear not!' 'Behold your God will come with vengeance, with the recompense of God.' 'He will come and save you!'"
Now, don't take away this passage as just about vengeance. It is so much more about hope. We can count on the fact that we will be made stronger and be able to stand. At the time of the robbery, we may feel in despair, but we are not to be anxious and fearful. We must trust that God will restore us. He will come and save us. What a great promise. Even OfferUp cannot offer this guarantee. We cannot put all our hope in one or two safe spots. We must make sure that we put our trust and safety in God. When we do that, we can trust that he will pour out his peace and love into our hearts. God is never trying to sell us anything. He just wants to be the surveillor, the SWAT commander, the constant that we go to not just during critical incidents but throughout the routine patrols. God Bless!
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