America These Days

"There is violence in the streets. Going to the hospital is risky and worthy of serious calculation. Masses of people are out of a job. Prices are increasing. Store shelves are not close to full. Elections promise even more violence and upheaval. School is a great big question mark. You can't plan ahead because tomorrow is unpredictable." 

Those words are a description of life in many countries across the globe all of the time. You may recognize the situation now. They characterize life in the USA these days.  

Things I have followed pretty closely in Haiti are now a reality here in PA. In Haiti, you don't go certain places because it is too risky most days. In certain periods, you ask many questions before you even take to the streets to do common errands. It's a sad way to live, and something strange to most Americans...unless you live in a major city this summer.

It is a sad thing that Americans are now experiencing what much of the world lives every day. For some, they will say, "It's about time. America needs to be knocked down a few notches."  I am not in that camp. I see how hard it is to climb up from insecurity. I see how hard it is to move on from vengeance and general distrust. I see the fruit of a pummeled society. 

America is a necessary light on this planet. So many countries are downstream from the USA. When things are good here, those countries live better. When things dry up here, serious drought happens down stream. When America dips into depression, turmoil, strife...those things are piled right on top of the little countries in the shadow of the USA. 

The world needs light. America is a shining city on a hill. May God continue to bless it, and thereby the whole world.