...it started with the downgrading of the US debt standing from AAA to AA+. I don’t know what that means. They (talking heads) tell me it means the US government is less credit worthy than before. The Dow plunged 634 points Monday, soared 429 points Tuesday, and dove 519 points Wednesday. It's the first time the Dow has ever had four straight 400-point days and up 423 points Thursday.
Typically folks in the stock market run to Treasury Bills for security but with the down grade they are not as safe as before. Not-so-fast, it seems downgraded Treasury -bills they were safer than the stock market. Hummm maybe things are not all of what they seem?
Take for instance your 401K retirement plan. It’s not looking all that good this week most likely. All of this volatility has hit the value (or at least the wall street value) of many companies and your retirement account. Maybe the washer went on strike this week at your house and the value of the replacement part has skyrocketed out of sight. Maybe we should invest in household replacement parts instead. They seem to be gaining value just sitting on the shelf. Apple may soon replace Exon-Mobile as the most valuable company in the world. Really? Entertainment and consumer electronics are more valuable than energy. They take energy to run. It’s been a funny week.
This past week I studied and spoke about the spiritual gift of peace. I guess that was in preparation for all of the chaos or as one man puts it “confusion” that would go on this week. Not to mention all of the personal chaos in relationships, families, addictions, health and famines across the world. Every time I saw and heard a story about people in Somalia my heart hurt for them and their situation and my utter helplessness to resolve it. The “confusion” for them is on a massive scale (430,000 in a refugee camp built for 40,000). No food because there has been no rain for 3 years and no central government for almost 30 years. One woman walking 17 days with her children to get to the camp and along the way two of her children died. I cannot imagine that. What can I do? It’s a funny feeling adding to a funny week!
Out of the blue (not really) came this thought process. What would solve the famine? Food of course dummy was my answer! But I have not enough food for all those people. An established solid government would help as well. That’s not something I can do. Then came…Rain. Rain I thought I can’t do that but I know who can! I can pray for rain for Somalia. I can do that! When we find ourselves without peace over whelmed with life and its complexities Paul wrote our solution to the Philippian church.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 NLT
So, I am praying for rain for Somalia and thanking God for all he has done. Funny how we can get all caught up in one thing and never see the more important issue. The stock market is one thing but starving people are another. Our personal confusion is hard but hunger is harder. Funny how God does that, reveals his word before we need it, then causes us to use it how we never expected it. What seems so pressing is not so pressing at all. Wise investors are hanging on counting on their long term goal and strategy. Sounds like faith to me! What is your long term strategy and who are you counting on? It’s been a strange week…but peaceful too.
He will make it rain in Somalia.
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