Doom & Gloom

Next to the real estate business I used to work with there is a variety store with an owner who has a great heart but the unique ability of always seeing what's wrong with the world. We affectionately nicknamed him Doom & Gloom. More and more there is conversation going on about what is wrong with our families, society, the world, etc. While most of these observations are true in my opinion, I struggle with this pessimistic view of people and life. The part that is intriguing is not the observations but the jump to the conclusion that the U.S., families, the world are a sinking ship. The question then becomes where do we jump. This struggle in my mind is partly because this seems to be an Old Testament mentality. The law, Sodom and Gomorrah, all those tales of God's wrath on the sinful communities of the time are the comparisons that come to mind during these conversations.

The struggle then becomes that this is a New Testament time. What really did the crucifixion and resurrection mean? Are our sins truly forgiven? What does it take for that to be true? How do we celebrate the grace so freely bestowed upon us without it becoming Bonhoeffer's cheap grace? I don't really know the answers to these questions. My faith takes me to a place of hope. (Although, my struggles with the job hunt and self-esteem, etc. may paint a different picture at times.) I do believe that there is far more good in our people, our schools, our society than we recognize. Media folks do a great job of focusing on and making money on the "doom & gloom" news of the world. It doesn't mean that the conversations and actions to change the areas that are not right in our world are wrong. Definitely not, these discussions and plans to ensure that we teach our young people how to live a respectful, responsible life are necessary and pertinent. However, I don't believe that God has left us or our hope behind. Maybe our new legislative policy should be "No family or world left behind!"