10/28/2008
Author: Devin Pickard
Title: Not the worst thing that could happen
I came across this blog recently and thought it was as well written as anything I have read in a long time. The author's name is simply “Bill” and this was posted on Wednesday, October 1 of this year. Take your time reading this, take time to absorb it, and then see if you don't agree. I think all of our toes should be somewhat swollen after we're done.
“Nearly everyone I read says that we absolutely need the Government to rescue our economy, or we're going to have an economic meltdown like we've never seen. So, like all red-blooded Americans I've been all gung-ho for the bailout.
But the thought occurred to me today. Why should we be bailed out? This problem has been coming for a long time. We live in a culture that believes prosperity is our divine right. That's why every time the economy even had a sniffle in the last 8 years, the Fed has lowered interest rates, thus making it even easier to borrow money, so everyone could leverage themselves up to their eyeballs, and invest so that the economy could get revved up again.
Maybe this time we just need to deal with the problem. It may be time to take our medicine. Maybe some of us need to spend some time in a Hooverville.
I know, these are dark thoughts. But think about our current generation. Our current vapid, self-centered, flip your house, check out my crib, Starbucks quaffing, iEverything generation.
Then think about the generation the 1930s produced. Let's face it, they were better than us.
As Christians, we are citizens of another Kingdom. Prosperity here on earth is not a divine right. A deep recession or a depression is not the worst thing that can happen to us. Is it not true that, Biblically speaking, trials produce the best character? We had a trial here in Houston recently; we took a direct hit from a Category 2 hurricane. It brought out the best in us. We actually became neighbors for awhile.
In a deep economic downturn, the church would actually have more to do. Many of the things we argue about now in our American evangelical church culture would become irrelevant. We might even become The Church, more than we've been in awhile, a beacon of light and source of help to people who's problems go far beyond our current typical angsts, snits, and quibbles.
Do I want this to happen? Well, no, not deep down. Because I want to be able to pay for college, go out to eat, goof around blogging on the internet, and live the comfortable life I live. And, I don't want other people to face financial ruin either. I don't want the poor of this country to suffer even more than they already do. I don't want my family to endure hardship.
But I wonder. It might not be the worst thing that ever happened to us.”
I can add only one word to Bill's article.......AMEN.
Go the extra mile - Devin