A Bleak Outlook

This past week, some rather discouraging news was reported about the job status in America.  The participation rate of work-aged adults in America has dropped to 63.3%, the lowest since May of 1979.  Many who are looking for work have simply gotten discouraged and quit looking.  They are taking early retirement, trying to get disability, going back to school, living off unemployment benefits or utilizing other options.  The outlook is indeed bleak for those who are looking to find work which will pay a living wage.  I first saw this article on Yahoo news, but could not locate it today as I wrote the blog.  However, I did find the article on Fox News, so here is the link:  http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/04/07/americans-discouraged-by-economic-recovery-leave-labor-force/

Many people are leery of Fox News, which is why I said it was also on Yahoo news.  My observation is not one of political blame, which many pundits will attempt.  My observation is one of pointing to the hopelessness which can often invade our lives.  Many Americans are hopeless and have grown weary of being out of work or being overqualified that they simply quit looking.  This has affected people of all races, socio-economic levels and ages.  We live in a culture today which appears devoid of hope, best exemplified by the economic status of most people.  Those retirees who live on fixed incomes are finding out that their income will have less purchasing power in the future, which can be very disheartening with no other means of raising income.  Whether speak with college students who face a very uncertain employment career or seniors who face a very uncertain financial future, there is one common denominator:  Hopelessness.  Those who work on being overburdened by high taxes and a salary that is able to buy less and less.  Hopelessness.  It permeates so much of our society.  People become so hopeless that they are not only willing to take their own life, but the lives of others.  There is a blatant disregard for the value of life in our culture.  All of this reflects a lack of hope and purpose.  The news certainly paints a bleak outlook for the future of America.

Contrast that with what happened this past weekend when Rick Warren, Pastor of Saddleback Church, lost his son to suicide.  Dealing with this loss would seem to be overwhelming and I pray that I never have to face this situation.  However, Rick Warren has faced this situation with the knowledge of where his son is spending eternity and the support of a loving church family.  If you would like to read more, you can go to:  http://www.bpnews.net/BPnews.asp?ID=40029   Many pastors want to be like Rick Warren and build a huge church.  However, God specifically chose Warren because of his humble desire to serve the Lord.  He is often under the microscope and criticized by folks from every spectrum of the theological and political world.  Yet, it this moment of grief, he is modeling for our country true hope.  A hope that comes only from faith in Jesus Christ.  A hope that faces an uncertain future with a certain God.

What circumstances are you facing in your life?  Are you experiencing hopelessness or faith?  Jeremiah 29:10-12 says, "This is what the Lord says: “When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my good promise to bring you back to this place. ¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you."  Whatever lies ahead, we have hope because of the power of God.  Even Job, in the midst of his intesne suffering declared, "Though He slay me, yet I will hope in Him."  God reminds us in Romans 8:28 that "in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  This is not some flippant banner we paste of Facebook.  This is a promise from God Almighty to those who have given their lives to Christ.  Please remember that your circumstances are never hopeless when Christ is involved.  So approach the future with expectation not dread, with faith not fear and with hope not discouragement. May this Sip refresh you to face the struggles of life with a renewed spirit.