I don't know if anyone has seen or heard the news recently - but things aren't so positive lately. The stock market fell below 8000 points yesterday, the auto industry is facing bankruptcy, retail stores are already starting to complain about how slow the holiday season is going to be, and market analysts are saying that millions of people will be laid off of work starting the first of the year. Throw in the "regular" news about traffic accidents, rapes, and homicides and the news is practically a sure setup for depression. In fact, I think that if people actually started getting depressed because of the news, the news would cover that story.
The kicker for me this year is the news about the finances - especially in the midst of the upcoming christmas season. Why is so much emphasis being placed on the financial crisis of this nation at a time when we are supposed to be remembering the greatest gift that we have ever recieved? Why is the news so blatently negative a mere week before thanksgiving?...a time when we are supposed to be giving thanks for all that we have and praise and honor to the Lord.
Why is there constant grumbling among everyone? Have we really turned money and finances into our god in this nation? I fear that we have.
The Lord's first commandment to the people of Israel, and perhaps the greatest commandment in the bible - "You shall have NO other gods before Me."
Maybe its just me - but having NO other gods before God means that God makes the top story on the news each night. Why not put a positive and encouraging news story first on the news? Does anyone realize that the two of the Huisman candidates for 2008 are solid Christian athletes? Or what about the positive story of a church in Ohio that has completely stocked the local food bank in thier local town for the remainder of the year?
Lord,
Help us to keep YOU as our top priority in life. Its so easy for us to get caught up in the daily symantecs of life - and often place things like our finances or our busy schedule ahead of You. We love You Jesus, and we apologize if our sinful nature gets in the way of that Love sometimes. In this Holiday season filled with busy schedules and gift giving, we ask that You remind us daily to keep You as the center of our life. Adjust our attitudes to one of thankfulness and praise to You Lord.
Amen
Grace & Peace
-J
No comments:
Post a Comment