Recession & Religion

Scripture: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:25-27)

I heard a news clip the other day that at first really annoyed me. The report indicated that the rockier the economy gets, the higher church attendance grows. I have to admit that my first emotion was indignation. Sure, as long as things are swell, who needs God? So long as we have money in the bank, all the material goodies, all the name brands indicating we own "the best" - who needs God? But as soon as crisis hits, it's interesting how God suddenly becomes important to people, and He becomes the Big Vending Machine in the Sky. When New York experienced the 9/11 tragedy, churches all over the nation became packed. But a couple of years later, attendance once again fell.

But no sooner did my initial feelings of indignation form, when I felt a "check" in my spirit. "Who am I to judge?" If you think about it - not much has changed in 2000 years since the Israelites walked through the desert. God fed them manna from heaven, led them with a cloud by day, a pillar of fire by night. They were in the Presence of God Almighty in a way we will never know! Yet, over and over, they would fall away from God and slip into sin. When it came time to suffer consequences for their wayward ways, invoking the wrath of God, suddenly they would return to their faith, devote their lives to God all over again. When they stopped being attacked by other nations, food was plenty and water ran freely - they would forget Who was protecting them from their enemies and providing them with all their sustenance for life. Back into sin they would go, becoming complacent in their faith, negligent of their religious practices, lax in their morals.

America is so much the same way. Yet again, I ask, "who am I to judge?" Yes, it's frustrating that the God I serve in good times and bad, through wealth and poverty, through life's easy paths and many trials - others have reduced Him to a vending machine, running to him only when they need something from Him.

The important thing to note is that I will never know how many people committed their lives to the Lord after 9/11, and never returned to their old, Godless lives. I will never know the seeds of faith that were planted in some people back then, and how they have been watered and fed throughout the years since, and as a result, some have drawn closer to the Lord. And during this difficult economy, I will never know how many people will turn to Christ and fully commit their lives to Him - during this crisis, and long afterwards.

I was wrong for feeling indignant. Instead, my feelings turned towards compassion and joy, for THIS is the time for all Christians to share our hope in Jesus Christ throughout these days of loss and financial hardship. While others fear for what tomorrow brings, we stand in our faith that God will guide us, protect us, carry us through. This isn't a time for pride - it's a time to share why we don't fear, because we know Who is in charge.

My hope is not in the stock market, the American economy, the job I hold, or the President of the United States. My hope is in Christ. OUR hope is in Christ.

Some people in our churches will only last through the crisis, others will commit their lives - it's up to us as disciples to share the gospel and the hope we have in Jesus Christ, our Savior. I'll leave the judging to Him. 8-)

Prayer request: For hearts to be open to the hope Christ offers, and for Him to move in a mighty way through our nation.

Prayer: Lord, we ask that you bring revival to this nation. Let Your presence and glory fill America in an undeniable way. Light hearts on fire for You, Lord. Amen