Friday, August 12, 2011

Wrath of God or Natural Consequences?

There are natural consequences to our actions, both positive or negative.  "You will get what you give," is what Jesus said... hmmm, good Christian karma... Whether an act of God, or a natural process of the universe... what we put out there is what we get back...

If we exploit people in our own nation or those across the world, for our own personal gain at their expense, it will come back on us.  But if we treat laborers with respect and dignity, treat them fairly with pay, benefits, pension and working conditions... it will mean that good will happen for employers, politicians and the whole nation.

If we widen the gap between the rich and poor, eliminating the middle class, so that very few have the most, and the many have the least, it will not go well for those who actively work to create that reality.  But if we work toward the gainful employment and advancement of ALL people equally, it will mean that the whole nation will prosper.

If we adopt mean-spirited and ruthless greed as our most prominent national characteristic, over-extending our resources toward disaster for many so that a few can cash in, it will mean disaster for all of us.  But if we are satisfied with making a decent living and including others in that, adopting slow and real growth for all as our way, we will have financial security as a nation.

If we continue to destroy, waste and pollute the planet upon which we live and depend, rendering the land we live on, water we drink and air we breathe poisonous, we will kill ourselves.  But if we take seriously the GOOD science that informs us of the negative effects of our poor stewardship of the creation, and work to lessen our negative effects on our planet, we will avoid global drought, famine, natural disasters and annihilation.

If we use our war machine to gain natural resources like oil, to dominate economically in the world and to exact vengeance on our "enemies", we will make more enemies, not who "hate freedom", but rather resent our hubris and arrogance.  If we do not only strive for what is best for us, but what is best for us and the rest of the world, we will again be a respected nation among nations and all will have peace.

So, what will we put out there?  Please demand that our leaders "do justice, love mercy and walk humbly", because what we put out there is what we will get back!
Pastor Jamie

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