Only the oldest of Americans can remember true scarcity. I'm not talking about not being able to afford the food on the shelves; I'm talking about there not being food on the shelves at the grocery stores. Those who lived in the depression of the 1930's remember, I'm sure. I've heard a few of those stories. And there are those who came to America from a place of scarcity; they remember, too. And unfortunately, some children have been in families where abuse or deep poverty brought them scarcity.
But overall, we Americans are used to abundance. I certainly am! My family has intentionally changed our lifestyle in the past decade, leaving jobs with moderate to high pay to enter the ministry. But even now, our kids have a bountiful life. They ski. They go to zoos. They attend dance, gym, motorcycle, and art classes. We go out to eat occasionally. We play on our swings and trampoline... more than enough of everything!
And, wow! Do I have abundance in other areas. Overflowing love and gifts from the heart. Generous medical care (albeit expensive!). More than enough food to make everyone's favorites. Inexhaustible joy in playing and exploring with our children as a homeschooling family. There is so much richness in our lives!We have taught ourselves and our children to be grateful, not to take this abundance for granted. And yet, much of the time, we live in mindless abundance.
We are, perhaps, waking up to a new reality this week. The last time I went to the store (a week ago), the shelves were full. There was a shortage of toilet paper, but it was still available. I didn't even buy any, figuring I could pick some up next week when it wasn't in short supply. We weren't in any dire need.It's different today. The shelves are bare. People are scared, and they are hoarding. Even though they know this is wrong. They want to be sure that their family has enough.
It's different today. People are scared to go out to the stores, even where the goods are present. They are afraid that they might catch the COVID-19 virus. Many people are staying home out of fear. Others are staying home because they want to be part of the slowdown solution for our medical care systems.
It's different today. Today I used nine eggs instead of ten to make our breakfast burritos; I wanted to be sure to have enough eggs for a birthday cake next week if the store didn't get them in.
It's different today. All of a sudden, we are faced with the possibility of shortages. Real shortages that might go on for a while. Supply chains might be disrupted by illness.
It's different today.
But we can be different, too.
Americans have come through all sorts of difficulties in the past. Wars. Depressions. Epidemics. Fear. And we've faced them all and survived! We can share what we have with each other, and chances are we'll all have enough. We can telephone, text, message, or yell over the fence to our neighbors and make sure they're okay. We can take one of those fourteen packages of toilet paper over and leave it on the front steps.
And finally,
most importantly,
We can remember the abundance promised us in the Bible. John 1:16 says, "From his abundance we have all received one gracious blessing after another." Psalm 65:11 assures us, "You crown the year with a bountiful harvest; even the hard pathways overflow with abundance." This may be a "hard pathway," but God's goodness is never lacking.
And God's promises are not just for our physical needs. He gives us peace in abundance (Isaiah 57:19). He gives us abundant joy (John 16:24)! And Romans 5:20b reminds us that "God's wonderful grace became more abundant."
We can do this. We can survive this pandemic with peace, joy, and grace. Turn to our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ, and live.
Love God. Love each other.
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