October 2, 2013 (Wednesday)
I make a point of steering clear of politics in this blog. Today I’m not making an exception; I’m just observing the current government shutdown and making a few comments.
In 1964 I was on a four-engine prop plane loaded with passengers when one of the engines was shut down. We could look out the window and see the propellor just sitting there idle. The pilot announced that the engine had been shut down but landing was not a good option because the plane was overloaded. We would take the long way home and use up as much fuel as possible by the time we would reach our destination. When we finally landed many hours later, the fire trucks and ambulances followed us on the runway. Everything turned out OK. Shutting down an engine turned out to be the right thing to do. A “good” thing, if you will.
When people go into shock, they shut down. Many times they are no longer able to communicate. The body, including the brain, is at rest, no longer able to particpate or communicate with the outside world. The organism is protecting itself. Shutting down, then, is a good thing.
After 9-11, we grounded all the planes, dismissed congress because of further threats, put additional protection around the president, the Supreme Court justices, and congressional leaders. The president called for national prayer, and a day was set aside for a worship service that was televised nationally. Business as usual was replaced with genuine concern for each other and people spoke much about God and prayer. For all practical purposes, we shut down briefly, and that was a good thing.
On the surface, the current shutdown of government seems like a bad thing. Maybe it is. It is certainly bad for those whose incomes have stopped. Many are being inconvenienced and having to change plans. But maybe it can become a good thing if we all pray about it, stop our bickering, and turn it all over to the Lord. Could this be one of those things that can prompt us to remember Romans 8:28, in which God promises to work things out in behalf of those who love Him?
Where is Will Rogers when we need him?