It is time, to wake up, crawl out of the basement, and realize, your future, is, in your own hands.
I hope I won't sound rude, but I feel a need to say something to this.
My entire life, my parents have always told me, "The government will NOT take care of you - you have to be able to take care of yourself." Admittedly, I had my times in my younger years when I was more careless and didn't really plan for my future, but my parents were always there, reiterating and modeling that same lesson over and over, because their parents (and their parents before them) had all lived the same way.
My grandparents lived through the Great Depression and as I think back and ponder all of this, I recall a conversation with my grandfather that astonished me. I asked him about the Great Depression and he said that he couldn't remember it affecting their family much at all, because they had worked to be as independent as possible.
And eventually, their hard work paid off. I finally realized that, just as the Bible says, words, without actions, are meaningless. My parents always told me that there were certain things I should prioritize in life, but that even if God blessed me with those things, I should always stay vigilant and prepare for the day when those things might be taken away or need to be replaced. I haven't always followed their advice, but it has definitely made a lasting impression.
When the lockdowns hit, my parents held family meetings in which we formulated a plan. There was one among us who fully owned their home, as well as the property it sat on. If worse came to worse, we knew we could all congregate there, with my parents bringing up the point that the bank would not be able to show up and somehow repossess it (at least not until an angry, armed mob showed up in order to take it from us.) Some family members have jobs in fields that the current world is dependent upon, so we discussed the fact that again, if the absolute worst happened, there were a few people in the group who could likely find jobs under most any circumstances in order to support the family. And we are not a very big group at all. But we knew if we pulled together, we would find a way to survive for at least a little while, unless, of course, God called us away.
With so many frightening things happening in the USA today, it's obviously been a big point of discussion between my family and friends. After talking to several people whom I highly respect, I came to my own conclusion, just for myself.
My entire life, people have often criticized the way I've lived, then criticized me for the results of my living differently. I've encountered people who told me I needed to change, do this or that, several times before in my life. And I couldn't help but quietly observe that in the meantime, they were crawling back from the 3-day party they had been at over the weekend where they'd spent a couple hundred bucks on booze and joints, then walked into work with a $5 coffee or energy drink, artificial nails, hair extensions, the latest pair of sneakers, and a just-released brand-new phone.
They told me how naive I was about life as I was dutifully attempting to listen while at the same time, trying not to retch from the overwhelming smell of the smoky cloud of questionable substances that followed them everywhere they went.
Now, I am not in any way, shape, or form, trying to criticize or condemn anyone who lives this way. Some people prefer this, and some have just always lived this way throughout their families' generations. I understand that many people live this way because they are seeking a temporary escape from the very reality they preach.
But what I AM trying to say is, when people tell me I need to wake up, what else can I do besides my regular duties as a Godly citizen, and then try to live my life in careful preparation that does not become a fearful obsession?
As one person I was talking to said, "Even if you did prep for the next 20 years, eventually, you would still run out," and, "What is the difference being being blessed, and being spoiled?" Living in the USA, I often have to ask that question of myself. Am I incredibly blessed... or just immeasurably spoiled? Have I gotten too used to living in an ivory tower, and now can't even stand to see it when a dent is made in the wall? Is God calling us to stand up, or to first take the punishment that all of our own actions warrant doling out?
As the events of Washington and people who have more money than I could ever dream of unfold, all I can see to do is to try to do my best according to what I believe God is telling me, and leave the rest up to Him.
As for the people who are always wanting to tell me the "truth", I can't help but think of an older co-worker from a few years ago. He would always tell me things such as that I "needed to have several thousand dollars in cash" hidden at all times, because the digital systems were bound to collapse at any minute. But as we saw in this past year, this advice just didn't hold water, because at least one of my relatives was living in an area in which they stopped accepting any forms of cash altogether.
I suppose my parents were the original "preppers" in my own personal life. Their basic lesson to me was, "Work as hard as you can, do everything you can to live as independently as possible, and always be prepared to help other people." I haven't lived up to that exact standard, that's for sure. But, I am trying.
And so, as I ponder all these world events and the possible collapse of life as we know it (after all, Jesus Himself said that things would get worse, and not better,) the first thing that comes to mind is the parable of the Ten Wise Bridesmaids, and the Ten Foolish Ones.
In preparation for a wedding, Ten Wise Bridesmaids were careful to collect extra oil for their lamps. Now, how much extra oil was enough? I don't know, but apparently, it was enough to last them through the wait for the arrival of the bridegroom, while the Ten Foolish Bridesmaids, instead of making wise choices on their own, depended on the Ten Wise Bridesmaids to share their oil instead. Interestingly, in the versions I've read, it wasn't even a request, but rather, a flat-out demand: "GIVE us some of your oil for your lamps!" In other words, YOU have what I need, therefore, I have a right to some of what you have, too.
Indeed, were told throughout the Bible to share and give to others. But interestingly, in this case, the Ten Wise Bridgegrooms are neither scolded nor corrected for not sharing. Rather, they are commended for their willingness to think ahead, work, and prepare, and they were not required to share that with those who willfully neglected to do so.
Now I understand that most Christians will say this applies only to personal faith and not material goods, but I've come to believe that God has taught me a lot about how to use my earthly resources as well by applying this parable.
And so, to those who see me as simply another dumb sheeple who is silently being led to the slaughter, I must first ask them what wise decisions they have been making throughout their own lives to prepare, as well as help sustain others when the inevitable crisis they speak of comes.
Not in criticism or judgment, but to learn. If someone is telling me that they are helping me realize a valuable truth, is it not unreasonable to ask them how they themselves have been preparing, and how to map out such a plan of action? After all, if you want to learn how to run a business, you don't ask the janitor, even if he's worked there for 50 years. Rather, you want to learn from someone who can back up their truth with a realistic plan of exactly how to carry it out.
And if for whatever reason, they were not taught or shown how to do this, then doesn't it seem that there is an absolute responsibility to seek out and apply the knowledge to do so, most of all before, or at the very least, while trying to lead other people in the same direction?
Even the Bible says that words without actions are completely fruitless.
And so I in turn have to say to those who are telling people like me that I need to "wake up" -- I DO understand some of the things you are saying, and I AGREE that it is frightening. SO, what exactly is YOUR personal battle plan for sustaining yourself and others, because it's obviously NOT going to get any better, and if I am going to devote that much anxiety and worry to the cause, I need to be shown a definitive plan of action in order to counter it - or, at the very least, to prepare.
The Bible tells us to be discerning of what we take in and who we listen to.
Therefore, as part of my discernment, I have asked God to show me who I need to listen to - by pointing me to the people who can back their words with a track record of actions that help both them and others, and that I can also follow.
But this is just my own personal point of view, and I am certainly not trying to push it on anyone.
2
1
1
1
