From My Perspective - - -

Government and Gamesmanship are almost synonymous with each other. It is made to appear that through posturing and proclamations – these are the rules of the game. The teams – Republicans and Democrats – come to the center of the field. The Referee – the President – flips the coin and tells the teams to let the game begin. The teams have been given a date by which the game must be concluded otherwise there will be an automatic scoring that will take place for which both teams will be able to disown the result. Then – the Referee – not only leaves the field of play – he also leaves the country for a period of time and lets the unmanaged and uncontrolled teams play their game according to their own rules. This, in brief, is how the Debt Reduction Committee was formed, organized and performed. There was little or no expectation that anyone would have the gumption to do what was necessary and/or right.

The origin of the word “gumption”, taken from the online etymology dictionary, states the primary sense and usage of the word: “The Word Origin and History – gumption – 1719, Scottish – common sense, shrewdness, initiative, give attention to…” I suppose that in terms of the ever-increasing National Debt (now more than $15 Trillion) it could be said that the Commission and Congress allowed this once great and proud nation to die of neglect. As a nation, we are struggling to keep our heads above water and gasping for air to breathe. Where is the Life Preserver? Who will throw it – The Chinese…The Iranians? Where is there a Lifeboat – a rescue vessel? Is there anyone who cares? Will someone come to their senses and see there is an immediate need? Can those who decide be willing to forget about their individual career and look at the bigger picture – the survival of the nation? They have already taken care of themselves at the cost of a neglected citizenry.

As a nation, we have come to the time in our calendar and observe a day called Thanksgiving. It is a time to cease from all other things and to acknowledge that God has blest us far greater than we deserve and with much more than we need. It’s a time when we can look beyond ourselves and/or our own to those who are in desperate and hopeless situations in our world. Hopefully, any effort to reach out will be welcomed. Sometimes the effort may be rejected by one group or another but there are all too many alternatives. My wife and I had come across an opportunity to get some beautiful clothing at a greatly reduced cost. The first country we thought of has been devastated with storms and poverty, etc. Our offer was essentially rejected because giving the clothing “would put people out of work who are making the clothing.” Our view was – perhaps it would give them something nice and useful to clothe their children and allow them to get to work. Part of our thinking is a result of an almost obscure text in Mark 4:35-41, “…when evening came, He (Jesus) said to His disciples, Let us go over to the other side.Leaving the crowd behind, they took Him along, just as He was, in the boat. There were also other boats with Him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke Him and said to Him, Teacher, don't you care if we drown?...”

The phrase for special note is – “There were also other boats with him.” Why? When the storm was most furious and the situation most desperate, for whom are the disciples expressing concern – the other little boats with them – or – themselves? When the disciples come to the stern of the boat and awaken Jesus, there is no mention of the other little boats – just – “Teacher, don't you care if we drown?” The preoccupation with self and the immediate needs and wants for self are the occasion of the urgency. If Only – we could get the focus off of “self” and refocus onto others, and let them know that we care. Also, it would be good if we would remember to pause and give thanks to the Faithful God – maybe even using the words of Psalm 103 – Who showers us with His benefits; Who forgives; Who heals; Who redeems; Who Satisfies; Who restores and renews our strength - Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise His holy name… While we are remembering to do this, let us not forget the little boats out there where the needs are so very great and situations are so very dangerous and desperate. Let us do what we can to alleviate those conditions and to let them know - we genuinely care!  Consider these things with me!