Shanty towns return to America
Tent Cities
On a more serious note, it seems that the economic down turn and credit crunch is creating a new industry, tent-making. People losing jobs and homes are flocking to tent-cities all around the U.S. according to various news agencies.
The extent of the fallout is still being figured out, but from what I’ve gathered, most of the population is clueless as to what’s going on. People are continuing in their old ways and have not prepared or planned much for the prospect of losing a job or home.
Joan Burke, who campaigns on behalf of the homeless, said the images of Americans living in tents would shock many.
‘It should be an eye- opener for everybody,’ she said. ‘But we shouldn’t just be shocked, we should take action to change things, because it’s unacceptable.
‘It is unacceptable that in this day and age we have gone back to a situation like we had during the Great Depression.’
What of the future?
What should we make of this? Perhaps a renewed effort to care for the homeless, perhaps a change in perspective on life or better yet how can we solidify our portfolios so we won’t fall into the same situation as “those people”… I know in my heart, I wonder if this can happen to me… and I’ll try my best to avoid homelessness.
But I think there is more to learn than just avoiding homelessness. Life is difficult and there is no guarantee of “job security,” there is no guarantee of money in the bank, no guarantee to bail out what ever debt you have. This is however, something we can do today to prepare for any circumstance in the future.
“Give us this day our daily bread”
I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be a content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:10-13
In whatever situation the Apostle Paul was in, he was able to be content. He knew the secret while facing abundance or need. While he was in prison, he knew he was in Christ. Christ as his provider and his comforter.
Sanctification
In our prosperity, we know that it is only a shadow of the great blessing we have in heaven that comes from God. Our great reward is Christ and in him we truly live. In our homelessness, we know that it is in God that we have our faith and trust, and that in Christ we truly live. God is in the business of changing hearts, changing us into the image of Jesus Christ so that we may glorify and enjoy Him forever.
Whether it be greater faith or gratefulness or whatever… God uses such situations for our benefit and for our sanctification. So in every and all circumstances, we can live with gratitude and with grace trusting in the providential hand of God (even in job loss, homelessness, stock market crash, and repossession)… so that we may reflect the glory of his Son.
Be Kind, Please Remind (me)
Please remind me this truth when I face similar situations.
Related posts:
March 12th, 2009 at 1:04 pm
I love the scripture of Proverb 30: 7-9 which portraits our nature how we often forget our heavenly father when we get richer and dirty His name when we get poor. Reading it reminds me that I need to glorify our heavenly father when rich or poor because he is the provider.
Proverb 30: 7 “Two things I ask of you, O LORD; do not refuse me before I die:8 Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches; but give me only my daily bread. 9 Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the LORD ?’
Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God.”
April 8th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
[...] On a more serious note, it seems that the economic down turn and credit crunch is creating a new industry, tent -making. People losing jobs and homes are flocking to tent -cities all around the U.S. according to various news agencies. …Continue [...]