It's One of THOSE Times

It's one of those times. You know, the times when there's no real point opining on markets or the economy. Not that this blog only focuses on such financial matters, of course. But it is one of the regular themes.

The overall theme, though has to do with trying to make sense out of the world. 

It (the world) really does need to be made sense of - at least from time to time. Most times we don't bother. We just take it as it is. Stuff happens, we react...next.

Or, we create a situation and maybe it turns out well, or not so...next.

The world goes on, we go on in it...until...well, let's not go there today.

As for markets and the economy, frankly some of us are sitting pretty with the thought that all is basically hunky-dory; some sit on the opposite pole. 

Those who see the glass half full come from different tranches of our society. Anyone want to guess? Well, a good guess would be from the upper tranches, eh?

As for the glass-half-empty disciples, a stab at that might yield...er...pretty much the rest of us.

So maybe it's too broad, too much of a generalization. Maybe. But don't bet on it.

And speaking of disciples, here's something about the world that a disciple of Christ put together a long time ago. You may have heard of him. His name is Paul.

Actually, he put together a lot of his thoughts in what we've come to call his "Epistles." He covers lots of interesting and important subjects in these. They're basically letters he wrote to various folks in the years after Christ died, rose from the dead and ascended into Heaven. 

Here are some excerpts from one such letter, or epistle, that he wrote to a companion named Timothy. Actually, he wrote two letters to Timothy, or at least two that have survived the passage of time (almost 2,000 years). We'll focus on the second such letter.

In Timothy 2 St. Paul speaks of "dangerous times" which he also labels "the last times." As we know, the early Christians expected the Christ to return soon. The idea was that this world would be coming to an end some day. And part of the winding down of this place we call the world included the return of Christ. 

While it's now been two millennia since that anticipated arrival, we know the world will indeed end some day, and we Christians believe that Christ will indeed return.

We read here Paul's description of this world of ours in dangerous times. It's hard not to look around and compare to our own world today. Doesn't the description fit?

Know also this, that, in the last days, shall come dangerous times. 2 Men shall be lovers of themselves, covetous, haughty, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, wicked, 3 Without affection, without peace, slanderers, incontinent, unmerciful, without kindness, 4 Traitors, stubborn, puffed up, and lovers of pleasures more than of God: 5 Having an appearance indeed of godliness, but denying the power thereof. Now these avoid.
 

Without being overly negative or morose or paranoid, it's safe to say that there are simply lots of the types noted here out there. If you haven't noticed them, or, worse, come face-to-face with some or many of such types, count your blessings.

NB: We are exhorted to avoid such types. Great advice.

Now he adds something just for the early Christians he was addressing - something that they needed to know and be prepared for:

...all that will live godly in Christ Jesus, shall suffer persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall grow worse and worse: erring, and driving into error. 14 But continue thou in those things which thou hast learned, and which have been committed to thee: knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 And because from thy infancy thou hast known the holy scriptures, which can instruct thee to salvation, by the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

Again, it's hard not to see a connection with our own times. Maybe if your not Christian, you haven't noticed. But, frankly, if you've followed the persecution of Christians in many parts of the world (never mind here in the good 'ol USA), these words will ring true and perhaps serve as a wake up call.

Between our fallen human nature (something we Christians believe is the case) and the machinations of the the Devil (something all of us should believe in), evil, left unchecked, grows stronger and stronger. Those who give in to their evil inclinations face a terrible future. And we Christians who aren't afraid to walk about as such, will serve as an attractive target for them. If you're in that camp, be prepared.

Meanwhile, this summer weekend - especially Sunday - ideally provides us all with some respite from our usual work and daily chores. We might thus take some time to read Scripture. (That's where you'll find this letter.) Consider doing so, especially if we're not in the habit of daily reading and study. St. Paul explains why:

All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, 17 That the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.

It's certainly better than reading or - heaven forbid - studying markets or the economy as we draw close to the first day of summer this coming week.