A Beautiful Land

Our community lies at the foot of some of the most unique biological territory in the world. The mountain terrain within our view supports in native habitat some of the most prolific numbers of species of animal and plant life on the planet. Even the United Nations has acknowledged the special nature of our native vegetation and unique habitat. While such gifts are ours to be stewards of, we must also value and appreciate the character of such treasures. The ever encroaching desire to enjoy such surroundings has led in some cases to a disregard for the fragility of such environs and the price of losing such treasures if we abuse them. We suffer from a consumer culture. We often fail to appreciate simple pleasures in pursuit of ever more complexly marketed necessities as taught by the most recent peddlers of success and brokers of influence.

At the same time, we hide ourselves from community; we isolate ourselves from friendships; we surround ourselves with walls, literal and social, all the while pretending we are enjoying it. One old adage noted: We spend money we don’t have to buy things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like. It may be that one day we will wake up from such foolishness in time to see the world with a view to thanking God for it. Perhaps we might whisper a prayer of thanksgiving as we enjoy a fresh baked loaf of bread or a bowl of soup. When the sun rises over the mountain and we see the morning dew burning off the lowlands, maybe it will inspire us to consider these gifts for what they are ---God’s grace to us. And then – maybe, we can look in the face of our neighbor and recognize that they also are gifts to the world, to be treasured, understood, and regarded with thanks and praise to God.

Depression

Depression is a serious condition affecting many people at any given time. Depression can be categorized as mild, as in a temporary experience of emotional trauma, as may be experienced as a result of a significant loss, a period of grief, a “low” as the aftermath of significant physical effort and triggered by fatigue, or similar short-term experiences. Clinical Depression, often characterized by a period of ever increasing “low feelings” and at times debilitating in its effects can be the result of extended and prolonged emotional trauma, biological changes due to illness or chemical imbalance, and a host of other possible “causes.”

Sometimes, to talk about the “cause” of depression becomes a “chicken and egg” argument. Many suggest that depression brought about by circumstances can over time trigger physical changes that become prolonged and debilitating. The question of what “caused it” becomes almost secondary to the need for relief from the symptoms.

I have seen individuals become “critical” in a matter of weeks with depression. Such lows have included the sense of hopelessness, a lack of interest in one’s family or surroundings, an inability to focus or to work, a state of despair, and even suicidal threats and acts. Such depression should always be taken very seriously. Few healthy individuals move through such stages without some “signals” of dramatic change along the way. At the same time, some depression sets in so slowly, that others nearby sense only slight change from day to day and may ignore the significance of the mood or mental state of their loved one or friend.

As we think about depression, the scriptures give us some good illustrations. Numerous psalms “voice” the emotions of physical and emotional depression. The prayers of the psalmist are not without recourse however in their frequent call to trust God for strength in the midst of weakness. The Old Testament example of Elijah, following his great victory over the prophets of Baal, finds him despairing of life and running in fear shortly thereafter, declaring his sense of isolation and loneliness. The remedy indicated by scripture was a time of rest and renewal. Food and more rest followed, then a distinctive, purposeful call to action. With it came the reminder that Elijah was not alone and was not abandoned; he was not without a ministry and a purpose for the future. Once these elements of his life were re-centered, he regained his capacities to move forward. (See 1 Kings 19)

As we relate to individuals with depression, we should always understand the facts. The mindset that individuals should just “snap out of it” is a mistaken and hurtful presumption. The reality is, many forms of depression are persisting and require both time and with some frequency, medical attention. Friendships help; having someone to encourage you and to talk to goes far to help individuals “get through hard times emotionally.” Understanding depression is a big part of dealing with it, but persistent attention to the basics of good diet, good rest, good exercise, good sense, and good company go far to “get one through the valleys.” God loves us and reminds us that there are valleys to experience. When you are there, keep focused with heart and mind on the power of God to sustain you. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” ( Isaiah 26:3 K

Consequences

It isn’t often that we sit down and recount the Old Testament prophets’ messages to the people of God who failed to bear witness to the world of God’s truth in their time.

The failure to accomplish this divinely assigned mission was to reap the consequences.
What happens when a child fails to learn of God’s love? What happens when darkness instead of light becomes the focus of a life? What happens when there is no one to show the way? What happens when the danger is not recognized because there is no voice of warning? What happens when the opportunity of blessing is ignored and forsaken and forgotten?

The present generation has often been cited for failing to teach morals and manners, for a lack of discipline and ethical decision-making in all manner of business, work, and political interactions. There is a recognizable hunger for spirituality and a search for meaning, but too often the remedies of our time are “therapists,” “self-help models” and clinical solutions with medication and pain-killers leading the list of devices for overcoming fear, anxiety, and dis-ease.

When was the last time you took a heavy dose of biblical instruction? Have you considered the passages that declare “Thus saith the Lord”? Have you thought about measuring yourself in light of something other than a mirror and considered the life of Christ as your guide? The message of divine truth is hard-hitting at times, but always redemptive. Of course, that is the mission of the church…joining in the ministry of reconciliation…being ambassadors for Christ in the world…taking the gospel of hope and salvation to a world hungry for it. When we fail in that mission, we fail in our own experience of faith to comprehend the joy of life in Christ…a life full of meaning and purpose and truth.