Discerning The Times
It behooves each generation to look about with a critical eye – not being hoodwinked into accepting the popular opinion at face value but yet not getting worked up into a paranoid hysteria. An eye to understanding the long term implications of trends is crucial to determining how one might have to act should fears be realized. We have seen examples of this critical disposition in the past.
February 7, 1934 – an elderly politician rose to his feet in the British House of Commons. From all appearances he was yesterday’s man – from the old school – long past his prime. Very few listened as he droned:
“Wars come very suddenly. I have lived through a period when one looked forward, as we do now, with great anxiety and great uncertainty to what would happen in the future. Suddenly something did happen – tremendous, swift, overpowering, irresistible. Let me remind the House of the sort of thing that happened in 1914.”
In 1934 Winston Churchill was as one crying in the wilderness – his fears of a resurgent Germany under Hitler fell on deaf ears. He lamented that “not one of the lessons of the past has been learned, not one of them has been applied, and the situation is incomparably more dangerous.” Unfortunately his warnings proved to be correct he had discernment of the times.
The Scriptures also share examples of those who were called to look beyond what was seen on the surface. Consider the sons of Issachar.
David was anointed King by the Prophet Samuel. God had decided He had had enough with the profligate King Saul and had Samuel anoint David who was “after God’s own heart.” When word got out of this King Saul was bitter against David - the perceived usurper. Saul hunted David as if a wild animal. David was required to raise an army in defense. Men came from all of the tribes of Israel to support David – however there was one group of men that the Bible makes special mention – the men of Issachar – they “had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do.” (1 Chron. 12:32) These men saw that David was the future – King Saul had not followed the Lord – but lived a life that was not at all pleasing to the Divine – he took on the role of a tyrant.
In speaking to a multitude Jesus remarked,
Whenever you see a cloud rising out of the west, immediately you say, ‘A shower is coming’; and so it is. And when you see the south wind blow, you say, ‘There will be hot weather’; and there is. Hypocrites! You can discern the face of the sky and of the earth, but how is it you do not discern this time? (Luke 12: 54-56)
Jesus rightly calls on His followers to be mindful of the happenings in the affairs of nations and society. We are not to be people with our heads in the sand trying to avoid the obvious. The Scripture teaches the people of God to discern the times in which they live. As we are able to tell from cloud movements what the future bodes in the weather so we can discern from the movements in society what potential dangers lay ahead.
There are a number of struggles that have been evident in 2009 that we ought to be mindful in 2010. I list a number that I see from my vantage point – you may have more from where you see things:
The Economy
In many ways 2009 was the Great Depression that never was. By the end of 2008 we were all convinced that the economy had come to an end (or nearly so). We expected to go back to horse and buggy – planting our own vegetables – and burning wood to keep warm. It did not happen. Government came with a tsunami of money that covered the multitude of debt on our behalf. As the year progressed a number of people did lose jobs, and houses – but by and large the system has remained. A lull or a reprieve has come – for how long? Economists and bankers are very concerned what happens in the spring and early summer 2010 when the government stimulus money comes to an end. Is the current rise in the markets sustainable? Or are we to be hit with the unbridled fury we expected a year ago?
The implications of a falling economy to religious freedom cannot be overlooked. Such circumstance leads to instability and insecurity. Irrational behavior and superstition raises its ugly head in such times as we have seen in the past. Sensitivity to religious freedom takes a back seat.
[One bit of advice I received this week from a Christian financial adviser friend of mine: if you have not already faced your “Financial Waterloo,” as a number of us have, now is the time to prepare your house for financial stress. “The armies that surrounded Jerusalem left but Titus is returning.”]
The Terror and War
2009 had a number of wake up calls to the reality of the severity of the terrorism threat the West continues to face. The Christmas day terror on Flight 253 into Detroit was simply another “close call.” We do not know how many more “close calls” we are yet to face before the terrorists’ carryout their insidious plans in full measure. We live in defiance of such threats – but at what point do we as a free liberal democratic society continue to barter our freedom for security? What will that do to our religious freedom?
The Society
Orthodoxies of our grandparents are challenged as never before – marriage defined as one man and one woman is controversial and anachronistic. Yet those “outworn arguments and old attitudes” continued to hold sway in some states in 2009 – consider Maine. Social taboos are scaled back to the point of irrelevance. The prevailing opinion is that no opinion is right or wrong. However, the only opinion that is NOT accepted is that there is a “right” and there is a “wrong”. In other words a search for the “truth” is quaint and not good manners in our age.
The Church
In many countries the Christian Church is continuing to fall. In a recent trip to Canada I again marveled at all of the “mainline” Church buildings that have been boarded up – or converted to apartments. Within those walls generations of people once sang hymns of praise – now for lack of interest and commitment they have become monuments of a faith that once was. We have seen churches grasp for power and influence by embracing politics but instead politics and politicians have embraced churches as a means of mobilizing people for political power – to the detriment of both. Expect more of this in the new year.
The Poor and The Outcast
In increasing numbers our neighbors (as well as ourselves) have become poorer. Those who have made unwise choices have become more desperate in their search for acceptance only to fall further into addictions. Yet where is the sympathy and lift promised by people who claim to be followers of the Lord Jesus Christ? Have we rolled up our sleeves and assisted those who are now homeless and hungry? Or have we become cynical and judgmental when misfortune has fallen? Have employers fairly treated their workers - including those with religious scruples who cannot work on holy days?
The Healthcare Debate
The reverberations of the Healthcare Debate are sure to be discussed for much of 2010. We must step back from the machinations of politics and seek an attitude of prayer for our leaders as they make decisions. Yet we have to be vigilant to ensure that the religious freedom of religious institutions is maintained under the new plan.
It is then in a spirit of prayer that we face the year that lays ahead – challenges yes – but having our wits about us and trust in Divine Providence we can face whatever comes our way. Let us do so in a spirit of peace.