Whatever Takes Us Away

We are a nation, rather, a world in chaos. Things have seemed to have been ideal for most of us living in developed nations, but suddenly a change has swarmed like a plague over the entirety of the planet. Economies are not just faltering a bit, they are failing in many places. How did this happen? Many would say that here in the U.S., the fault belongs to the banking industry, Wall Street, or other industries with large financial interests, but is this really why we are so beleaguered? We love our things. We love ourselves. We detest anyone that tells us we cannot do what we want to do. We abhor what is truly right and honest, yet we wonder why we have gotten into the mess we now find ourselves in.

For nearly two millennia the Bible has seen and foretold what would happen when we look to ourselves for answers. A book that has been scrutinized for giving good, decent, life saving information has been thrown to the wayside – in order that we might live life in a way that it was not meant to be lived. We used dishonest means to gain a foothold over those less fortunate. The book of Proverbs is packed full of wisdom, wisdom that most neglect to read or take to heart. It tells of how children are to listen to and obey their parents (something that has gone by the wayside). It tells how laziness leads to nowhere (something that has become very common). Proverbs tells how wicked men bring disaster upon themselves (look at our own nation right now). This book is packed full of knowledge that gives insight to how and why we have gotten to the place we are currently.

Proverbs isn’t the only book in the Bible that talks in this manner. Much of the Bible explains human nature and its desire to be detestable in most respects. In the New Testament, Romans is a good example of this. Romans 1:18-32 is a prime example and tells us why we are the way we are today. We have been given over to a depraved mind (a statement that applies to the whole of mankind). “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Rom 1:21) We have exchanged the truth of God, His Word, and His commands for our own enjoyment – a fleeting span of lusts and desires that will perish with us. Fact: 1 out of every 1 person on the planet will die. 100% participation. What can we take with us? Not one thing.

Truth is, the problems we face are not caused by some financial problems, but it is our own desire to “advance” ourselves and our agendas that have led to the current crisis. We advance unnatural behaviors as if they will make things better. We advance the desire for more (more of everything) as if they will brings us more happiness. We feed our lusts and our perversions as if they will keep us around longer. This has proved to be a fatal blow to us all.

I’m not pointing the finger outward only. I myself have fallen in the trap, and been led astray by my own desires. Call this a confession if you want, but I too want things. I too desire more and better and faster. While many in our country don’t have a computer or have one that is nearly a decade old, I have three – the oldest of which I am using right now at three years of age; and yet, I wish I had a new one. I have a job right now, yet wish I could have a job that paid better. I have a house and am able to make the payments on that house, but I wish I had a bigger house with more land. I, my wife, and our pseudo-adopted daughter all have a vehicle that run quite well, but you bet I wish I had a newer car that got better gas mileage. I too, am to blame for our current situation. It has been this think that has led to our demise.

We don’t stop, at any point in our day, to thank God for allowing us to have what we now have. We don’t thank God for our lives. We don’t thank God for our families. We don’t thank God, frankly, for anything.

Stop. Listen. Be Thankful. Take that dusty Bible off the shelf and read what has been passed down to us. You might find some true insight, something that might just save your life - or someone else’s.