Glory days

Remember the Springsteen classic, 'Glory Days'. The song paints the picture of foks caught in the prison of the past. Their only antidote for dealing with the pain of the present and the loss of hope in the future was to look back. "Glory days, yeah great going back, glory draws out he ain't never had, glory days, glory days" . A great song that keeps replaying the past but points out the hopelessness  I can't help but hear these lyrics being sung throughout this land these days as the heavy wet blankets of apathy and despair wear down the soul, and  fear has gripped folks like a pit bull refusing to let go. I hear some singing 'glory days'. But were they really so glorious? Sadly, the message has been preached that young folks today will never experience glory days. A whole generation has been told since 9/11/01, that it will never be the same. I appreciate the discernment of the artist, John Mayer ,who noted that we have raised a generation to live in fear. Go down to the airport, take off your shoes because you must live in fear.Live in distrust of your neighbor.

Now, with the financial meltdown, there is a double portion added to the fear reaching a level of panic. Why? We have worshiped ourselves! American National Religion based on individualism, narcissism, and greed has come crashing down. I wonder if Tom Brokaw could write a sequel to the Greatest Generation and call it a Generation of Greed.

I know that this sounds like a downer...but there is hope! There is one in whom we can put our trust. One whose glory days are not in the past only also in the future. As we come to the watershed moment of a change in a calendar as well as an administration, there is hope. This hope is not found in the market, or a new leader, or the idolatry of technology. Rather this hope is found in a people who seek to take their shoes off because of a reverent fear of a great and gracious Creator and Redeemer and Restorer of this world who longs for a people to partner with in the pursuit of justice and mercy for a global world.  I'm hopefilled about a new generation who refuse to live in fear and who have grown nauseous of American religion and are pursing the Christ and His Kingdom with their lives.

Is there hope? Absolutely! As I look back this year and consider the happenings in our world, I also am reminded of the prophets that God is raising to dream of His kingdom. Particularly, I am thankful for those who are raising the prophetic vision through their books. I am firmly convinced that leaders need to be readers. Readers of culture and trends but also readers of God's vision for this world that He loves. As I think about the top 5 that I recommend, they include, The Shack, Jesus for President, Colossians Remixed, Surprised by Hope and at the top of the list, I recommend Hope in Trouble Times: A new Vision for Confronting the global Crisis. I encourage you to read it, live it, and take off your shoes and get on your tiptoes in the presence of the Holy One whose glory has come and is coming with all the power and beauty that one can imagine.  Glory days are on their way.