In today’s world, billions of dollars are spent each year in an effort to have safety and security. There is Simplisafe security systems to provide security for our homes; and you can purchase Title lock protection for a monthly fee to avoid having your home deed stolen. Then there are companies such as Life Lock to alert you if someone decides to steal your identity. We also buy insurance for our homes in case of fire, floods, storms, burglary and the like.

Additionally, we spend a fortune on vitamins, medicines and devices trying to maintain our health and wellbeing. We can certainly do a lot to be safe and healthy but of course there are limitations.

Nations continue to invest vast amounts of wealth to secure themselves against potential attacks or invasions. It seems foolish in a world that already has enough high tech weaponry to blow this planet into oblivion, that the answer to security is more bombs and missiles. I remember as a grade school child in the sixties doing bomb drills and our teachers would instruct us to huddle beneath our desks. I remember thinking; I don’t believe this desk is going to be enough protection! We were being given a false sense of security.

Life is so fragile. Recently we were reminded that not even a Christmas parade in Wisconsin is a completely safe place to be anymore. We have witnessed an escalation of hatred and division among our masses and acts of violence are exceeding anything we’ve seen in our lifetime. It is quite obvious who is to blame for these current trends of hostility and hatred. I’ll save my opinion for another time except to say, if you are a person of influence, you can either fuel these fires with more divisiveness or you can call for reconciliation. You don’t have to listen long to tell who’s who.

I’m reminded of the scripture that said: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue”, Proverbs 18:21. Words have such power: spoken, written, tweeted, preached, published or however communicated, every person should be responsible with their message.

We should also remember that talk is cheap! Actions really do speak louder than words. Many people live under a false sense of security because they have been duped by the words of a smooth talking person of influence only to be let down when the promise, policy or agreement is not kept.

So what is the answer to our cultural problems? Are their solutions for the crisis of our times?

I believe there is without a doubt.

Where it concerns humanity, Godlessness, and lawlessness never work. Since the beginning of time, man has had the need to walk in harmony and fellowship with his creator. The human conscience always malfunctions aside from the influence of God. Wise Solomon gave this instruction in his day, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth”…. Ecclesiastes 12:1. The day we forget our responsibility to God is the day we begin to decline. Eventually we devolve into what we are seeing today, lawlessness and destruction. It doesn’t take a great deal of intelligence to learn how to hate.

Don’t be deceived by those who suggest they can legislate away hate and bring about utopia with their policies. That, my friends ,is just fallacy, and a false sense of security. We need God in our country! We need God in our homes and we need Him in our schools. Isn’t it ironic that we expel God from public life until tragedy strikes only to seek Him temporally until the present storm passes? If you know God at all, you are aware that He cannot be fooled. You either acknowledge and honor Him or you don’t. Using religion as a guard against harm or disaster provides nothing but a false sense of security too. On the other hand, real faith and relationship with God’s Son, Jesus Christ, will provide true peace and security that you can count on. Trusting in Christ alone gives you the security that endures both now and for all eternity.

I’d like to leave you with a bible passage that has helped guide my life for decades. It comes from the book of proverbs.

My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments; For length of days and years of life [worth living] And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you. Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart. So find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding. In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

Proverbs 3: 1-6 Amplified Bible

I hope the word of God here gives you the insight and guidance that it has for me.

To summarize, our societal problems are complex and numerous; they will not be solved or resolved until we realize how desperately we need God’s good and guiding hand on our lives and our land. May God bless you as you put your trust and confidence in His capable hands!