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When Good Things Become Idols by Victor Mushimbami

When Good Things Become Idols Introduction   Someone recently asked me to write more deeply on a topic I’ve been teaching, how we often create our own idols, call them “God,” and worship them while ignoring the true and living God who has revealed Himself in the Bible. This teaching has really touched many people, especially after I shared a true story. I had preached to someone whose boss told all workers not to go to church for six months, only to focus on work. But before those six months ended, the boss got very sick and had been down for more than a month. That’s one of many examples of how God can deal with us when we put other things before Him. The Danger of Divided Hearts We live in a world full of distractions, family, work, money, school, and even ministry. These things are not bad in themselves, but when they take more of our time, attention, and love than God, they become idols. And God is very clear: He is a jealous God (Exodus 34:14). That means He wants all of us, n...
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Built Environment, Social Capital, and Health: A Reflection on My Neighborhood in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia

 

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Introduction


My neighborhood in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, is surrounded by copper mines that pollute the air, making it challenging to breathe. The built environment is characterized by poorly maintained sidewalks, lack of bike lanes, and congested roads, making it difficult to walk or cycle safely (Koohsari et al., 2021). This aligns with the concept of social capital, as the community lacks trust in the government to provide a safe and healthy environment (Story & Glanville, 2019).


The Built Environment and Social Capital


The built environment in my neighborhood is inadequate, with sidewalks that are not taken seriously, and bikes have no free mobility, making it hard to walk or cycle safely (Koohsari et al., 2021). This lack of investment in the built environment reflects the low social capital in the community, where people do not trust the government to provide basic services (Story & Glanville, 2019).


Impact on Health and Well-being


The poor built environment and low social capital in my neighborhood have a significant impact on health and well-being. People are reluctant to engage in physical activity or socialize outdoors due to the poor air quality and lack of green spaces (Mouratidis, 2021). This highlights the importance of considering the built environment in urban planning to promote health and well-being (Northridge & Sclar, 2003).


Conclusion


In conclusion, my neighborhood in Kitwe, Copperbelt Province, Zambia, faces significant challenges in terms of social capital, social inequities, and the built environment, all of which have a profound impact on health and health outcomes. To address these issues, it is essential to prioritize urban planning that incorporates green spaces, walkable sidewalks, and bike lanes, promoting a healthy and thriving community. By investing in the built environment and social capital, we can create a healthier and more sustainable future for all.


References


Blue Cross blue shield of Michigan. (2023, June 22). Impact of the built environment on Healthy. YouTube [Video]. https://youtu.be/PJ992YMvzd4?si=Mb6q0NOKX-XDQQ-V


Northridge, M. E., & Sclar, E. (2003). A joint urban planning and public health framework: Contributions to health impact assessment. American Journal of Public Health, 93(1), 118-21. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1447705/


Story, W. T., & Glanville, J. L. (2019). Comparing the association between social capital and self-rated health in poor and affluent nations. SSM-population health, 9, 100508. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2019.100508


Koohsari, M., Nakaya, T., McCormack, G., Shibata, A., Ishii, K., Yasunaga, A., Hanibuch, T., & Koichiro, O. (2021). Traditional and novel walkable built environment metrics and social capital. Landscape and Urban Planning, 214. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2021.104184


Mouratidis, K. (2021). Urban planning and quality of life: A review of pathways linking the built environment to subjective well-being. Cities, 115, 103229. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275121001293


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