From My Perspective - - -

Slogans are easy to say and print – but – many times very difficult to implement. One’s mind often thinks back to a different day of hope and possibility – 50 years ago - when a President stated: “Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.” I wonder what he would say to our country today. There was a gifted speaker who shared the possibilities of a future of equality in and for this nation when he said to cheering crowds: “I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal." Sadly, these two men who inspired multitude came to an untimely end as a result of an assassin’s bullet. There was another analytic and inspiring message that had a President saying: “Government is not a solution to our problem, Government is the problem.” He, too, almost fell victim to an assassin’s effort.

There is a restlessness, frustration and uneasiness as unemployment remains high; savings are evaporating; investments have depreciated; and homes have lost to foreclosure. The Associated Press contains a report that defines an aspect of the bleakness today: “In record-setting numbers, young adults struggling to find work are shunning long-distance moves to live with Mom and Dad, delaying marriage and buying fewer homes, often raising kids out of wedlock. They suffer from the highest unemployment since World War II and risk living in poverty more than others…New 2010 census data released Thursday show the wrenching impact of a recession that officially ended in mid-2009. It highlights the missed opportunities and dim prospects for a generation…coming of age in a prolonged slump with high unemployment…Their…high levels of underemployment and unemployment will haunt young people for at least another decade…the employment-to-population ratio for all age groups from 2007-2010 dropped faster than for any similar period since the government began tracking data in 1948.”

In the midst of Bleakness and uncertain times, what can and should a person do? The Government doesn’t have a ready solution – where should one turn for hope and help? Christianity Today reported on a Baylor Faith Study that included: “As belief in a divine plan grows, so does belief in a major part of the American dream. The survey asked if Americans agreed that ‘anything is possible for those who work hard.’ A majority who strongly agreed in God's plan also agreed with this statement about hard work. Support was lowest among those who did not believe in a divine plan. Those who do not believe in God's plan were half as likely to agree that anything is possible with hard work…A majority of those who strongly believe in God's plan also believe that able-bodied people who are out of work shouldn't receive unemployment checks…”

An argument can be made from the Bible for both sides of this discussion and survey. As part of Christian Faith and Practice, Jesus said in Matthew 25:34-36, Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me…” It speaks of one’s Care and Compassion toward all, and the reward Jesus bestows as a result. On the other hand, II Thessalonians 3:10-13 teaches, “…when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk among you in a disorderly manner, not working at all, but are busybodies. Now those who are such we command and exhort through our Lord Jesus Christ that they work…but as for you…do not grow weary in doing good.” This is condemning laziness and lack of industry, and includes condemnation for those who ignored the poor and were uninvolved with care for the needy. However, if one errs at all in this regard it should be in the care and compassion effort rather than the judgmental that allows one to miss and ignore bonafide need.  Consider these things with me!