It’s a weird world we live in 

A 19 year old Northern Beaches girl called Clare is now famous because she lied on national television about a shooting that she said she witnessed at Kings Cross. As part of the interview she also articulated racial slurs but coined the phrase “Chk Chk BOOM” to describe the shooting (which she never saw).

When asked in ‘A Current Affair’ (a national current affairs program) why she did it, she said “When I saw the camera I just ran towards it and opened my mouth with what came out”.

3 things initially struck me:

1. Clare seemed to lack any sought of conscience.
   Even the interviewer referred to her story as “made up” rather than a lie. It would appear in Clare’s mind there was very little difference between reality and unreality! She said, “I have no regrets. It will be a great story to tell the grandkids one day”. The fact that someone had been shot was irrelevant.
2. The global community we live in is both wonderful and frightening.
   Within minutes of her original interview reporting the shooting, YouTube were posting her comments and “Chk Chk BOOM” was now a phrase blazoned across T-Shirts and other memorabilia and sold around the world. The whole thing was a complete fabrication.
3. The media often seem to lack any sort of discernment.
   Material is often presented to the public before it is checked out as truth or fiction. Clare is now being offered jobs from the media as a presenter, TV host, etc. These offers will inevitably fuel others to think “Get on camera - say whatever and you can become a star!’

As I conclude this piece I am so grateful that I know a God who cannot lie. Whilst values in our society appear on the decline at this time, God remains steadfast and true. Actually the Bible says in Titus 1; ‘Our faith and knowledge rests in the hope of eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of time’. Imagine if God was like Clare or God was like the media, ‘Just say whatever, whenever to put on a show!’

I thank God that my future is secure, because the God I serve cannot lie.

Peter