Friday, October 10, 2008

Not So Funny

Today my thoughts are not so funny. For one thing, the election is just days away and things are getting nasty. The accusations and personal attacks are flying, the pundits are having a field day, the candidates are scrambling and politics is still a dirty business. Some people are ecstatic that Obama may win, and some people are scared to death that he may win. I've heard more than one person say, "If Obama wins, what are we gonna do?!" Stupid question. We're going to go on being Americans and see what happens. Same as if McCain wins. Anyway, a president is still only one cog in the wheel.

Also, the stock market is tanking. I personally don't have any money in the stock market, so I'm not on the lookout for high places from which to jump, but I imagine there are people who are. And of course the economy in general is in peril. People are losing their homes and unable to pay their bills. I'm positive there are good and earnest Christians right now who are sure this is all more evidence of the end times. Yeah, maybe. But there have been so many other critical moments in all of history that pointed to the 'end times' that I'm a little jaded on that point. I believe that Christ is coming again, but I'm a little sick of the constant Armageddon -watch that seems to be going on. I may turn some people off by saying this, but instead of running out into our yards with arms raised watching the sky for Jesus to return on a cloud any moment, how about we get down on our knees right where we are and pray to God for this country and its people who worship Wall Street more than they worship God? Let's pray that this economic shake-out gives everyone a reality check about what's really important. The stock market is crumbling, just as all false gods eventually do. See it for what it is. A wake-up call to depend on God for our needs, not credit cards, banks or stock portfolios. The stock market is only one channel by which prosperity flows. God is the source, and He has hundreds, thousands, millions of channels to use to send us everything we need. But people always want MORE than they need. Let's try to remember the difference now. Let's use this time to pray more and get ourselves right with God. His hand is outstretched and in it is everything we need. Ask and you shall receive.