The Sky Is Falling

Orig: 01/03/09

I’ve read many explanations of the root cause of our country’s present financial crisis. It appears, however, that much more is being written and debated about everyone’s solutions and not about the causes, as if the root cause were a moot point. And perhaps it is. I think, however, that the key to understanding the root cause and where to start to prevent a similar crisis in the future lies in examining the solutions we are considering --- and why. What is our motive in preferring one solution over another?

Are we focused on accepting things as they are and blaming others: accepting responsibility that we may have made SOME mistakes, that we may have put A LITTLE too much faith in ourselves and our abilities, but that others are really to blame for this crisis – all with the aim of helping ourselves to cope, to feel better, to recognize we have done our best in this crisis? Or are we focused on timing the market bottom, how much of the government’s money to put into the financial systems or which companies to bail out – all with an aim of taking charge to restore our personal safety, our financial position, and our future prospects? Or are we focused on helping in any way possible: others who may have lost their savings, who may have lost their jobs, who may have lost their faith in the future – all with the aim or helping others, if we can? Where is our focus? What are we talking about? What’s our worry, and our actions?

I suggest that the first two sets of reactions to the crisis are really concentrated on ourselves – restoring our ego and/or our financial health. I suggest that the third is focused on helping our neighbor, our society, and our country – and is close to hitting the real root of the problem: As individuals, as a society, as a country, we became too focused on ourselves, and have forgotten how much others really helped us along the way – including God. And how much we need their help, and they ours, now.

The sky is falling; what solutions are you considering? Will your solutions really fix the root problem?

A wise man once said that there are only 2 great commandments in this life: Love God, and love neighbor as yourself. I think many of us have confused those two commandments, and the sub-clause. If we are honest in looking at OUR solutions to today’s financial crisis, we’ll see the root cause of OUR problems. US.

We are made in God’s image; Christ came that we might know Him, and follow Him, and to be as Him: To be who He made us to be. He loves us as children, and asks that we depend on Him and love Him as such, such little, trusting innocent ones. So how do we act as ones made in his image? How do we follow Him? How do we honor Him in how we love our own children? Do we love our kids enough to guide them, even punish them – even if they can’t understand why? Do we look out for their long-term welfare, even if they don’t understand the depths of our love? Would we really die for them, as Christ did for us?

Look at how we have raised our children. Look at how we have failed to follow the example of love He gave us, even to the point of killing our children – His gift of Love – in our wombs.

We wonder at the chaos in our society, the greed, the lust, the lack of caring for the least of us. Look into the mirror and wonder no longer. See the image of the one we try to imitate. See the image and manner of the one we have taught our children to love, first above all. Themselves. It is no surprise our culture has deteriorated.

We have chosen to worship ourselves and our needs, rather than Christ’s. We have taught our children to depend on no one, least of all us. And we have taught them nothing of heaven, and they have little desire to be there.

Do we?

So what IS the solution to our nation’s problems, our problems? We can continue our lost ways – woe is ME. We can continue to try to figure out how WE can solve the problems. We can continue to be alone.

But that doesn’t have to be. Primarily because we are NOT alone. Even if we have separated ourselves from the needs of our children. Even if they have separated themselves from us. Still, even if we have been poor examples as parents, even if we are rebellious children ourselves, even if we are fearful of our needs – and ours alone. Our Father, our real father, loves us. He HAS given us the real example of a Father’s love. Even if we have failed our children and our neighbors, he will never fail us. He will always love us.

And sometimes, perhaps even now, He will discipline us. If we are wise, if we really love Him, we can become the adults He showed us how to be – and yet remain the His loving children – He is there for us. He still loves us. He still waits with open arms. He can and will comfort us. And He’ll help us together to act as loving parents to all our children, ours and His. To love our neighbor as ourselves, not JUST ourselves.

The start is our giving up of our pride. The start is our saying “I’m sorry”. The start is saying “I love you”. The start is saying “I trust in you”. And then getting on our knees to talk to Him. And meaning it. The child who really screws things up, and knows it, doesn’t go to his father and TELL him what he must do to fix things. The child starts by saying “I’m sorry”. He runs to his father’s arms, cries, and maybe like the Prodigal Son expects some just punishment for his errors. And the loving father most often says only “I understand. Everything will be OK. Trust me. Don’t worry. I love you.”

Can we accept a parent like that as OUR parent? Can we BE that parent? Can we put aside our pride to say “I’m sorry”? If we want to fix our financial problems; if we want to fix our children and our neighbor’s problems; if we want to fix our culture; if we want to save our country… .

If we want to save ourselves … .

"I’m sorry."

It’s a start.