The Irresistable Appeal of Irrational Fear

Just when you thought that Global Warming would end the world in ten years, the issue has completely dropped off our radar! Who can worry about a disaster ten years away when it seems the world is about to end tomorrow? Right now, Americans are deeply troubled by more tangible issues than their carbon footprint. The housing decline makes most of us anxious. The financial crash in banks and stock markets is unsettling. Rising prices are destroying our family budgets. There's even quite a bit of doom and gloom surrounding the upcoming presidential election.

Alarming headlines and gloomy financial scenarios are feeding our fears. "What if everything goes south tomorrow?" Human nature always tends to assume the worst, but remember this: worst case scenarios don't usually come to pass!

• Every visit to the doctor doesn't culminate with a cancer diagnosis! Most of the health problems that worry us are not terminal.
• Every phone call at 2 AM is not tragic news about our family. In fact, most of those calls are just wrong numbers.
• Every mistake our children make does not result in pregnancy, addiction, or death. Most of their mistakes result in useful experience, and little more.
• Every financial downturn does not spiral into the Great Depression. There's only been one of those in US history.
• Every looming crisis played up in the media is not a certainty. Can anyone remember all those dire warnings of crashing planes, jammed computers, and lost financial records as Y2K was approaching on January 1, 2000? Surprisingly, civilization did not end.

The antidote to fear is faith. God has repeatedly brought Ephesians 3:20 to my mind this week, as I have crossed paths with fearful friends and neighbors. "Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen."

It's easy to believe that God still does miracles. What's harder to believe is that he will do one for me- just when I need it most. Scripture promises he can. And history shows it's true.

Greetings from the End of the World

In less than a week, four friends and I will depart for Zimbabwe in Southern Africa. Apart from my home, this once glorious nation is my favorite place on Earth. After twenty years of decline and decay, the nation once known as Rhodesia is far from paradise. In fact, you'd swear that the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse own a stable here. In spite of everything, the people of Zimbabwe remain noble and inspiring.

Our team will spend our first three days purchasing bulk food supplies with funds provided by our church. Everything must be purchased across the border in neighboring nations. Then we will figure out an equitable way to get these vast quantities of meal, cooking oil, and medicines into the hands of desperate communities. We hope to find some small flocks of goats to provide for the future of at least a couple of villages. It's almost overwhelming to imagine an effort like this when an entire nation is waiting at Death's Door.

Here in the States, the Stock Market is plunging and home prices are descending. The vacant looks and vague assurances from nearly all our political leaders have left us anxious about the future. But there's no anxiety about the future in Victoria Falls: it has arrived, bitter and undiluted.

My friends Rabson and Gainmore called me this afternoon. They are eager for the team to arrive. They didn't complain, but simply answered our questions. The shops are empty and there is no food to be found in country. There are no medical supplies, even at hospitals. Just across the borders of Botswana and Zambia, the food and supplies are stacked on the shelves in great abundance. But gasolene is nearly impossible to find; crossing the border is difficult; and Zim dollars are worthless. ($50 billion will almost buy a loaf of bread in country!)

Gainmore laughed as she spoke of their six month old son. He is growing and doing well. They asked about my own grand daughter who is three months old. I described her features. They laughed again,insisting I must bring lots of photographs. I inquired about what medicines I should bring. Rabson mentioned a variety of illnesses their friends and relatives are enduring. "Whatever you bring will be very fine." The greatest natural resource in Vic Falls is Hope.

There is no food or medicine at the End of the World. Disease and death are rampant. Money is worthless. Fields are empty. Government is broken. But people still find joy and fulfillment in the miracle of family. Friends are a treasure, rare and wonderful. And faith is precious, a lifeline to the God who holds the future in His hand. Greetings from the End of the Earth.