IN FOCUS: Offering hope for a new decade

Time magazine describes this past 10 years as “The Decade from Hell” in its Dec. 7 cover story. The decade began with Y2K worries and ends with dimming the American Dream. Catastrophes from 9/11, to Katrina, to the worst economic collapse since the Great Depression created despair. The continued conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan brings news of additional loss of lives and frustration that peace still is not within the grasp of those nations.

Instant communication brings global problems into our homes. We saw folks seeking refuge from Katrina in 2005 and grieved over the loss of 1,500 lives and $100 billion in damages. Reports of the Asian tsunami of 2004, which killed more than 200,000 people, was broadcast 24/7 over the Internet, television, radio and other news services. We watched with horror as the twin towers collapsed in New York, bringing terrorism to our homes and offices.

Baby boomers, who always had experienced economic security, saw their investments, salaries, home values and often even jobs disappear. For perhaps the first time in our nation, a generation didn’t believe it would be better off than its parents. Banks and corporations went bankrupt. Bernie Madoff swindled billions and became a symbol of blind greed.

Violence broke out in places that should have offered refuge—churches, schools, the workplace and even a military post. Thirty-two students were murdered at Virginia Tech in 2007, and recently, our state and nation were stunned by the killings at Fort Hood.

What went wrong? We have the obvious enemies who have become a “face” for our problems—Osama bin Laden, Al-Qaida, Madoff and, more recently, Nidal Malik Hasan. We also can blame forces beyond our control, like the weather. Andy Serwer, the managing editor of Fortune, who wrote the article for Time, cited some of the other reasons for the problems of this decade—neglect, greed, self-interest and deferral of responsibility.

Where was the church while this took place? Specifically, where were Texas Baptists? Thousands were in New York, New Orleans, Indonesia, Galveston, Fort Hood and other sites of disaster and violence, sharing the hope of Christ and offering food, counseling and shelter.

Some were standing on a bridge in Laredo week after week, offering cold water and the good news of Christ to folks crossing the border. Chaplains prayed with patients, inmates, victims and soldiers who faced life challenges. Pastors faithfully preached, and Sunday school teachers taught the word of the Lord Sunday after Sunday in communities across Texas.

However, half of Texans remain unchurched, and millions are hungry. Crime, homelessness, cynicism and despair remain prevalent. Genuine hope will not be found in economic recovery or in restored global standing of our nation.

Our world needs a living hope and an inheritance that never will perish, secured by the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:1-5). Texans are waiting to experience this hope that has been entrusted to God’s people (Colossians 1:27).