Although another Christmas has come and gone, many of the feelings of anxiety, fear and uncertainty from our unstable economy still remain. With a record number of job losses, many families were faced with the harsh reality and inability of providing gifts for their loved ones. With countless filing for bankruptcy, and a lost confidence in the economy, it appears that in a very real way that the "worst" may be yet to come.
Society often turns to sports as a means in which to cope or hide from reality. It usually provides a desired escape, albeit temporary. And yet, I can't help but think that as the Major League Baseball off-season is negotiating contracts valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars, many fans must be feeling the proverbial cliché that the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer.
Many economists are paralleling this era to that of the Twenties with the Great Depression looming imminent. As I was recently watching the classic It's a Wonderful Life, I couldn't help but relate to today the timeless message from Jimmy Stewart's character George Bailey—be thankful in the moment for the value in your relationships and blessings of today.
In times like these we can't help but wonder what if...? What if the economy continues in a downward spiral? What if I lose my job? What if I can't pay my mortgage? What if I can't pay for the Christmas presents I charged? While it is wise to consider these questions, and budget to live within our means, it's not healthy to become so enthralled with "what if" that we miss out on the present gift of today.
As the future is uncertain, one thing remains true: God is the same yesterday, today, and forever—He does not change! Ecclesiastes warns us not to ask, "Why were the old days better than these? For it is not wise to ask such questions." Our current Age is revealing that riches are truly meaningless and our sense of security must be anchored on something stronger than our savings, our health, our jobs or the economy...