No, "we can't"...

So, today we have a new president. Before I get into this, let me say that it is pretty unbelievable that we can have a total overhaul of our government without the nation breaking out into civil war and with the old government and the new government on the same stage... And it is a huge step in our nation's history that race is no longer the kind of barrier it used to be. For these reasons, today was a good day for our country...

That said, there is a problem as we head into this next administration... this idea that "WE CAN..." This has been the rallying cry of the new administration and a point around which people stand, cheer, and find hope. It's this idea that if we pull ourselves up by the boot straps and put our arms around each other, we can solve the ills of the world. It's a nice thought, and makes for a great slogan, but in the grand scheme of things it is false.

Now, if you are still reading this, then you are either highly confused, ticked off, or just waiting to see what I mean... So, I'll explain...

There are a lot of things that you and I as human beings can do. We can create things, we can destroy things, we can love, we can hate, we can make breakfast tomorrow morning, we can run marathons, climb mountains, open up people's hearts, and administer medical knowledge in ways that prolong life or take life... in fact, this list of things we CAN do is quite long... but it's limited. There are things we can't do. We can't yet leave the orbit of Earth and return back. We have yet to eliminate all disease. We can't yet run marathons faster than 2 hours. We can't read people's minds. Nor divert hurricanes or tornadoes. And this list is far longer... And even the things we can do have limits. While we can make breakfast tomorrow there is no guarantee that you won't burn it, or that you won't spill your cereal, and so on...

What I am saying is that you and I can do a lot of things, but not everything, and even what we can do, we can't do all the time... no matter how well we prepare or how much we believe we can do this or that. So, what?

This idea that "we can" do whatever we set our minds to fails at one particular point: God is in control of it all. Too often we say we have the power, and we have the ability to do whatever we like without realizing that we are not even promised our next breathe.

And ultimately the main problem in the world is sin... The reason the housing market has tanked, the reason there are wars, the reason families fall a part, why terrorism exists, why there is a ecological problem... all of it has to do with sin. And the bottom line is that you and I can't do a darn thing about this fallen state. Nothing. We can't. But through Jesus Christ we have a hope, and not the kind of hope we have in a politician that maybe things will get a little better over the course of the next four years... but a hope that is sure and firm that what God has promised He WILL accomplish.

Now, I'm not trying to be pessimistic, nor anti-progressive, but if we want to understand our place, and latch onto power that really matters we have to recognize that we are creatures... special and blessed creatures, but still creatures. Our only hope lies in our reliance on the Creator. A Creator that has also taken

As we head into a new phase in our country's history we should hold a very humble attitude and be ready to say "No we can't... BUT HE CAN!"

New Year, new posts...

So, I have never been too jacked up about New Year's. I mean, it's just a day, right? I mean, I never actually feel different from December 31st to January 1st, so what's the big deal?

But this year, I do feel different. This year I understand that a new year is symbolic of new possibilities and new opportunities and most importantly a clean slate. This year I do see a difference between December 31st and January 1st and even though it's already the 5th I am still praying for that Happy New Year.

No matter what the circumstances though I have to admit that God is in control and He has ordained everything that has happened will happen.

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

No matter how this year turns out there is something oddly comforting that God has already got it mapped out. And as this chapter continues in Ecclesiastes I know that He has "made all things beautiful in His time..."

I can't, He must. And He will.