GOD IS NOT SHUT DOWN

October 9, 2013

It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princes. Psalm 118:8-9

Did you wonder why I haven’t posted for a while? Even if you didn’t I’ll tell you: It’s because I moved 1,300 miles, then went on a trip to Alaska!

But I’m back!

Just in time for the government shutdown.

Which means all the national park sites are closed. I made it to Denali right before it happened (more on that in coming posts—and I can’t even hyperlink to the park website because that’s shut down, too!).

What a mess…

I hope you hadn’t planned any activities in the national parks. I read two articles about people who did, including a young girl from South Korea (“How can a whole government shut down?”), and couples whose weddings were affected.

Other important events got lost in the shuffle as well. Yosemite’s 123rd birthday was Tuesday, and while Google created a special doodle for the day, it lost some of its specialness because the park wasn’t open. One hundred and twenty-five years ago today the Washington Monument welcomed its first visitors, but that went uncommemorated (well, it’s still closed due to damage from the August, 2011 earthquake, but still…).

During the last government shutdown in 1995-96, the D.C. monuments—many of which are open-air—were not shut down. And, naturally, some believe this time the Park Service closures are politically motivated. Why am I not surprised?

It’s an uneasy time for us Americans, and I sympathize with those directly affected by this turn of events (like one of my brothers). The lesson here is that our democracy, our politicians, our paychecks nor anything else can ever be fully counted on. Sole dependence on them is misplaced trust.

Look up instead.

“Many are asking, ‘Who can show us any good?’ Let the light of your face shine upon us, O Lord!” Psalm 4:6

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