The government is, of course, unleashing every tool in the toolkit in order to get a hold of this mess, and even inventing new tools as they go, but there is no assurance, as yet, that the steps taken will fix the problem. Some are talking “recession” and some have even spoken the dreaded D word “depression”. None of us want to see that kind of financial disaster in this country, and we all hope the markets will turn around soon. The reality is, however, despite our unique prosperity in America in the past, the future is not promised to us. The sobering truth we are too seldom willing to accept is that we are open to disaster despite our riches and comfort. Recent market developments are making this clear.
All this being so, I thought it would make sense to offer the following excerpt from Soul Storm (www.soulstormsite.com) which was published in the Fall of 2006. It is an encouragement for us to consider our spiritual portfolio. Are we “prepared”? Do we have a safety net? Is our spiritual allocation of resources up to the challenges of a world with many pitfalls and distractions? Where do we turn when all around us is chaos? Is there a standard of measurement for spiritual health?
These questions and more are given consideration in the excerpt below. As you read, consider the rationality of your spiritual resource allocation and ask yourself if you have “invested” your heart in the right places.
The Gold Standard: allocating for disaster
There is hope, and that hope for rebuilding is to be found in casting our gaze upon God amidst hard times. For any person, city or country, the key to moving forward after disaster is in the turnaround. Turning form old ways of doing things toward new and better ways of building is the answer. The better way finds its establishment upon a solid foundation, a standard for building. Without a proper standard of measurement, there is no hope for building a meaningful future. Looking back on things in the aftermath of a catastrophe, reality becomes much clearer. Hindsight, as they say, is 20/20.
What is abundantly clear in the aftermath of Katrina is that city, state, and national officials could have joined forces to build more safeguards around our city. Many studies have been compiled for years attesting to the implications of a disaster stemming from a levee system constructed to only withstand a category-three storm. One of the more significant studies, of the fictional “Hurricane Pam,” clearly demonstrated in its findings a situation all too similar to the one just experienced in New Orleans. Had the findings of the report translated into a standard of measurement for the construction of proper levees, perhaps the city could have been spared from much of the flooding and overwhelming damage.
As was pointed out earlier, gold has historically functioned as the standard by which financial disaster-preparedness is evaluated. There was a time when gold was the measurement of value for all currencies. That is to say, behind every paper promise (dollar bills, for example) was the reality of tangible wealth in the form of gold. In the time since we have departed from the strategy of backing dollars with gold, much debate has arisen regarding the real value of paper money. It is a debate that separates many bright minds, and the issues are complex. What is not complex or debatable is the fact that any promise of wealth, value, or truth must have something real behind it. A stable levee system must have standards backing its construction, a well-built house must have a solid foundation, and a meaningful life is constructed by embracing standards of truth and virtue.
In times of disaster, whether the catastrophe comes in the form of nature’s wrath, cancer, divorce, or emotional pain, the soul must have an anchor. To make it through, let alone grow into something better, a person must have inner strength. Such strength of soul comes not from within but from above. Individuals, who turn to a secure safe-haven when all around them is uncertainty, find character and poise to endure wind and wave. When everything around us is falling apart — portfolios, homes, marriages, or careers — we must have someone to fall back on. Jesus Christ, the historic personality and presence sent by God on our behalf, is that rock. He is the standard by which our lives are measured. If we as individuals are to get a turnaround into high gear, we must surrender all other emotional, physical, financial, and personal assets to God. What we find as we do this is a corresponding rising in value in the development of our soul.
Just as gold rises in value when paper assets are in decline, the value of human life ascends to heights unknown when all confidence and trust is placed in God’s hands. The return on a life well-lived far exceeds the value of any amassing of toys in this life. He who has the most toys does not win. As Jesus said, “What does it profit a man if he gains the world and yet loses his soul?” What we thirst for apart from God, though it may appear to us as profit and gain, are in actuality poverty and loss. The worth of the soul is never measured by one’s bank account. It is not only possible but ordinary to find filthy rich men and women who are impoverished of soul. Not only is it common, but the scriptures tell us it is very difficult for the rich man to enter the Kingdom of God. The difficulty lies in our self-deception. With riches in hand, and fists clinched tightly, it is very difficult to reach out to others and to God.
America, the proud, rich super-power could certainly benefit from this reminder. It is entirely possible that we could again see a day when our riches are depleted and our self-sufficiency is removed. Neither I nor anyone else wants to see such a day. However, the potential is a historic reality. Should a massive storm be headed our way, the measure of our ability to navigate such a moment will depend upon our standard of life, not our standard of living. Our standard can and must be founded upon something, someone, more secure than our current pursuits. In New Orleans and in America, the reallocation of our spiritual wealth must begin in earnest right away. A sound spiritual plan for growth and rebuilding is what will enable us to pursue a turnaround that will endure. As we reallocate our spiritual portfolio, we could indeed find that our worst fears can be allayed and the blessing of God could be sent our way. He is, after all, the supreme turnaround specialist. He is the great re-builder. He is the firm foundation upon which we build the house that endures the wind and the waves. He is the foremost gold standard for life.
Bruce Smith
optimuslife.org
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