I don’t think that there is any doubt that we are seeing hard times coming our way.  The stimulus package that the Obama Administration successfully passed is so massive and so irresponsible that this nation can’t avoid taking a serious hit.  It is going to happen.  To quote the old adage, it’s not if, it’s when.

It will be critical for all Christians to be prepared, because even though it could be a very painful time for us, I am optimistic that it will be a time of great opportunity to spread the Gospel and get this nation centered back upon God.  The last thing that Christians should be doing is panicking or allowing their lives to be filled with gloom.  That’s what people who have no hope do. 

Here are some things we can do:

First of all, we need to trust God at his Word that He is going to take care of those of us who tithe.  God’s promise in Malachi is not conditional upon our current economy or the form of government we have or what the forecasters are saying about the employment rate. 

In Malachi 3:10 (NLT) “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple.  If you do”, says the Lord Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you.  I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in!  Try it!  Let me prove it to you!”  And this was just after God said their (Israel) whole nation was under a curse for not giving.

We need to educate ourselves on the economy, particularly on the history of the economy.  For example, many people thought that during the Depression that no one had jobs, when in fact most people did.  If we understand history, it makes the future less foreboding.  As I have said many times in this column, read, read, read.  You can never learn enough.

More Christians need to get involved in politics.  The primary reason that we have reached this point in our economy and in our country’s situation is that most of our leaders don’t know or fear God.  We need to fill the House and Senate in Oklahoma City and Washington with Christians. 

If you are not able to run yourself, financially and morally support other Christians who can, and do the same for those Christians who are already in office.  Putting solid Christians into leadership means that we can, as a nation, start making the best decisions.

We need to learn more about our Constitution and the real history of the founding and founders of our country.  America is a genuine miracle from God, but our ignorance and apathy has caused this truth to be withheld from Americans, especially our young people.  America is indeed a miraculous place to live, despite our faults.  When we come to know the truth about our beginnings, we can more fully appreciate just how special this place really is.

We need to learn more about what the rest of the world is doing, and especially what their plans for America are.  None of us want to be thought of as conspiracy nuts, but the truth is, if Americans are not well informed and ready to stand up for our freedoms, there are those who have already chosen a destiny for us.

We need to be willing to sacrifice ourselves for our country.  Our Founders took a terrible risk to make this country free, and some lost everything.  We owe it to them, to God, our families and our descendants to place our own fortunes at risk.  The environmentalists make much to do about sustainability, making it a moral imperative to leave something behind for those who come after us to enjoy.  How much more should we conserve our freedom for those who follow us?

We need to be more bold about our faith.  Have you noticed how much bolder liberals have become about their ideals since Obama was elected?  We need to be willing to stand up for our faith irregardless of who is in power.

Churches, individual congregations, need to be more courageous as well.  In my line of work, I have observed churches whose people demonstrated great faith and others that were afraid to do anything.  Our churches should not be living in a state of corporate fear.  This nation is going to need all the churches that it can get, churches that have prepared themselves to help not only their own members, but the unchurched as well.  Churches that can provide food, clothing, shelter and assistance with utilities, job training and moral support have a unique opportunity and means to share the Gospel with others.

Finally, remain optimistic, be opportunistic, and keep a cool head.  We may be in for a wild ride for a while, but when it’s over, perhaps we will be a Christian nation again.

©2009 Randy W. Bright

Randy W. Bright, AIA, NCARB, is an architect who specializes in church and church-related projects. You may contact him at 918-664-7957, rwbrightchurcharch@sbcglobal.net or www.churcharchitect.net.

This entry was posted on Thursday, March 5th, 2009 and is filed under Columns.