By John Coulombe
In a recent AARP Bulletin, an article appeared entitled “Farewell to a Dreadful Decade.” The gist of the editorial? This is not the end of the world, but it perhaps is the end of the world—as we know it! Was it not Bob Dylan, the 60’s prophet/troubadour who reminded us “the times, they are a’changin’?” It was changin’ in the 60’s, but here 50 years later, the changes seem even more pronounced.
The article proposed that the dreadful decade began with “…9/11 and the rise of terrorism, closing with economic upheaval of historic proportions, a growing gap between the rich and poor, rising anger and rhetoric, impatience, fear, and paralyzed and polarized political institutions…” and continued, “the old jobs are gone…millions are out of work.”
There was another poll taken just this week. It revealed Americans are not only in a depression economically, but also in an emotional and spiritual funk. Peggy Noonan writes in the Wall Street Journal: “There’s a pervasive sense of anxiety…
People have lost faith in their government and feel they have been lied to. One psychiatrist analyzed the mood of his patients this way: “People feel unled, overwhelmed and the situation seems unsalvageable…there is a psychological pandemic of fear regarding the future of our country and even mankind. And, there seems to be no pill for that!”
Joni Eareckson Tada and her husband Ken were with us recently to lead a hymn sing for our Closer Walk Bible study. What a joyful morning! Joni has been a quadriplegic since she was 17 (she’s now 60) and is dependent upon others to do everything physically for her that most of us are able to do on our own. She also had a major bout with breast cancer this past year.
At one point during the hymn sing Joni needed her nose wiped, a drink of water and assistance to clear her lungs. She apologized and very casually asked Ken, her faithful husband of 29 years, if he would come help her cough and carry out those simple but necessary procedures. We sat and watched in silence, pondering as this faithful couple dealt with the issues of their lives in our presence. Needless to say, we all left the building with a new sense of acceptance of the life we’ve been dealt.
Joni is in constant pain despite having no feeling in her limbs. She shared that every morning upon waking she has to depend completely on the Lord to get going, and wonders perhaps if the people most ‘handicapped’ are those who depend solely on themselves rather than needing to rely upon their God.
Francis Chan, a contemporary spokesman for the gospel these days, noted recently in one of his books that Joni is a person whose life, at every level, gives evidence of the Spirit’s work in and through her. He considers Joni the most Spirit-filled person he knows. We saw this exhibited last week, and have not quickly forgotten those moments. Whenever Joni gets ‘bumped,’ it seems all those near her get splashed and covered with joy!
How do we face this ‘brave new world’ and make it through times like these?
Things do appear to be getting worse, but Paul Harvey, noted radio commentator, observed: “In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.”
What are our choices? Be filled with the Spirit and all that comes along with it, like love, joy and peace (Gal.5:22-23). Or, filled with fear, anxiety, hopelessness and all that comes with that?
Your choice, but I’d recommend being filled with the Holy Spirit!
- God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Ps. 46:1
- The joy of the LORD is your strength. Neh. 8:10
- In Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28
- Be filled with the Spirit . . . Eph. 5:18
John Coulombe has been in pastoral ministry since Judson Baptist College and Biola/Talbot Seminary days, working with youth in Redondo Beach and Long Beach, and for 17 years with youth and families in Santa Barbara. For 21 years at First Evangelical Free Church in Fullerton, CA, John has served as Pastor to Senior Adults. He and Jacque teach in churches and conferences on issues surrounding marriage, family and grandparenting.
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