Today, we consider that God does not always answer our prayers in the way that we expect him to. I am reminded of old song, "looking for love in all the wrong places." Sometimes it might seem that God is not answering our prayers because we are looking for God's answer in all the wrong places.
In the last few weeks, the stock market has been going up and down, up and down, but mostly down. The media is obsessed with the negativity of it all. We watch all this, we get caught up in it, and we walk away in depressed (in more ways than one).
So where is God's answer to our prayers in all this? Maybe instead of obsessing ourselves with the minute by minute ups and downs of the market, we could turn to something that is much more solid and eternal - God's Word! While the market dwells in time, God's Word stands forever.
I know this: 1) our economy could stay the same, 2) our economy could get worse, 3) our economy could get better. As a pastor my thoughts often turn to the effect of the economy on the church, especially considering the weight of debt Lord of Life carries. Seeking God's answer on CNN.com or FoxNews.com is not going to cut it. It is not going to bring much hope.
But in listening to God in the Word, in the Sacrament, in the quiet, and in his people I believe there is an important Word for the Church. Consider this: The state of today's economy is opening up the greatest evangelistic opportunity of our generation. People are beginning to question their self-sufficiency. They are looking for hope and they are looking for answers. God is opening a door that has not been opened up like this for quite some time.
When the current economy is failing, people are looking for a new economy. One that is not dependent upon Wall Street, but one that dependent upon something so much more stable. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to rise up and be bold. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to take a chance. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to invest in that which is lasting and true. Now more than ever is a time for the Church to declare victory over death, over Satan, over every power and principality.
Now is the time for us to show where we really put our trust. Is it in our money we trust or is it in God we trust? If it is in God we trust, we've got nothing to worry about with an incredible and unprecedented opportunity before us.
What I had believed to be a huge crisis, God showed me is a tremendous opportunity. I had prayed, "God, don't let the economy fail."
He answered, "My economy never does. Invest in me, invest in the kingdom, invest in my work and you will reap a hundred fold."
Readings for next week:
| 19 | Jeremiah 33:1-34:22 1 Timothy 4:1-16 Psalm 89:1-13 Proverbs 25:23-24 | 20 | Jeremiah 35:1-36:32 1 Timothy 5:1-25 Psalm 89:14-37 Proverbs 25:25-27 | |
| 21 | Jeremiah 37:1-38:28 1 Timothy 6:1-21 Psalm 89:38-52 Proverbs 25:28 | 22 | Jeremiah 39:1-41:18 2 Timothy 1:1-18 Psalm 90:1-91:16 Proverbs 26:1-2 | |
| 23 | Jeremiah 42:1-44:23 2 Timothy 2:1-21 Psalm 92:1-93 Proverbs 26:3-5 | 24 | Jeremiah 44:24-47:7 2 Timothy 2:22-3:17 Psalm 94:1-23 Proverbs 26:6-8 | |
| 25 | Jeremiah 48:1-49:22 2 Timothy 4:1-22 Psalm 95:1-96:13 Proverbs 26:9-12 |
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