In Times Like These

By Pastor Ottley W. Holmes Jr.

To say that we are living in tumultuous times would be a gross understatement. A quick overview of the World Markets and global disturbances can only lead one to a state of apprehension. Things that were once counted on as solid security foundations are now fragile at best. We once lived in times where one could plan on retiring from a job after years of service. Today we are not even sure if the company will still be in existence when we reach retirement age. As this plight gains further foothold in our daily lives, what can we do or who can we turn to, to bring stabilization in times like these?

This is where one’s faith in God becomes a critical juncture in an individual’s life. Faith is the element of life that can give one hope in the midst of turmoil. Faith can also provide strength during severe struggles, and calm during a calamity. True faith can never be viewed as wishful thinking. True faith causes one to realize just how little mankind is truly in control of. And try as we may, there are events and circumstances that are outside of our control.

So where does all this leave us? It is my personal belief that many times God allows times like these into our lives, to cause us to turn to Him. God’s people need to revisit the discipline of prayer in our places of worship. God’s gift of free-choice allows mankind to go contrary to His divine will. It is man that has caused these ills to come upon our world. Greed has been the fuel of discord and has caused distain even for the very environment which sustains our lives. We have carved a path of financial carnage for generations to come. With little or no thought towards the future. We have truly become the “Now Generation.” It’s time to turn back to the rudiments of our faith, causing us to first depend on God, then love and care for our follow man.