The euphoria or hand-wringing (depending
on your perspective) in the immediate aftermath of the national elections
this past week, has given way to a new topic of discussion that is almost as
consuming as the non-stop political television ads which dominated the air waves
over the last few months. The government's inability to find consensus
in dealing with our nation's financial challenges has placed our economy in a
very difficult position. Depending on who you listen to, the failure of our
nation's leadership to effectively provide a solution to this crisis, threatens
to send us into deep recession, resulting in higher taxes for families and
further growth in unemployment. The cynic among us wonders about a nation that
worries about paying its bills when an estimated 6 billion dollars was just
spent on the presidential election, but that is another topic for another
day.
There has been more conciliatory language coming from the president and
leaders of congress in the last few days, but there is a long way to go to avoid
what some believe could have catastrophic consequences for our nation.
I got to thinking about this image of a fiscal cliff, envisioning a
traveler inching his way along the edge of that precipice...sweaty palms,
jittery nerves, trying not to look over the edge, yet...unable to look away.
That describes our lives at times when facing the great challenges that come our
way. We find ourselves in tight spots where each step is a calculated choice
and each breath, a measured reminder of our tenuous circumstance.
Churches walk along these narrow pathways as well...sometimes because of
faithfulness to the Lord that puts the church at odds with others; sometimes
because of the financial demands of ministry and structures; sometimes because
our faithfulness in giving falls short of our dreams for ministry.
Westwood walks along this pathway this year as we begin our stewardship
emphasis. No, we are not teetering on the edge of a financial cliff where
calamity awaits, but giving is down this year as compared with recent years,
placing us further behind our budget goal for 2012. Bills are being paid, and
our deficits of spending versus income are close to where they normally are this
time of year. Westwood traditionally increases giving during the months of
November and December as the calendar year comes to a close and we believe that
will continue again this year. But trends in churches across this nation are
edging downward in attendance and giving, presenting the church with growing
challenges for the future.
Our stewardship theme for this year is "Building the Kingdom...One Gift at
a Time" Here, we see the significance of working together for the cause of
Christ...building, not our kingdom, but the Lord's. Here we are also called to
recognize that every gift is important...that every gift empowers the building
of God's kingdom. Charlie Shuman wrote, in the letter you received this week,
of the blessings of God that "boggle the mind." Truly we see the hand of God at
work in our lives, the world around us, and in our church. We express that
gratitude in many ways, including our financial giving. There is so much to do,
so much to accomplish, so much of ourselves and our resources to give for the
cause of Christ.
Over these next few weeks and then as we move into 2013, may we be faithful
to give generously, empowering our church to be used of God for Kingdom-building
in Springfield, Northern Virginia, and beyond.
If you are inching your way along some cliff today, remember, you are not
alone. The living God is right there, with you...always.
Jim Abernathy
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