Seasoned with Salt

     Y2K Sale: Cabin in the Mountains

                                   --Matthew 15:8-9

After the first of the year, my sister wrote to me via email on the subject of Y2K, "If I even hear the term again I may scream." Indeed, now that the change of the clocks has come and gone with scarcely a technological whimper, and now that we have breathed our collective sigh of relief, we may be ready to file the infamous Y2K bug in the same drawer as other minor ailments: annoying but not life-threatening. Before the term fades into lexicographic oblivion, however, I’d like to offer some observations regarding the event.

First, 20-20 hindsight demonstrates that people were more worried than was necessary. The question for Christians is, why should we have worried at all? Jesus told us not to worry, because our Father knows our needs and is willing and able to provide them.

Second, the Y2K threat brought people to think about their physical needs, and how to prepare for a potential disruption of the flow of goods and services that we otherwise take for granted. In California where I live, it is important to keep on hand a few basic necessities for the eventuality of a serious earthquake. In my family, Y2K gave us another reason to set aside some water, canned food, candles and batteries for such a disaster. Over time, if the canned goods have not been consumed, we can replace the supplies, either eating the older stock or--better still, if we are able--donating them to the food bank. Of course, as recent weather patterns have clearly shown, California is not the only place where people need to be prepared for disasters; the lesson is universally applicable.

Third, a certain element of our society went way overboard in their preparations. I’m not speaking of those who spent large amounts of money purchasing generators and MREs (the infamous military Meals Ready to Eat). I am speaking of those who prepared, many figuratively but some literally, a cabin up in the mountains, well-stocked with ammo and dynamite to defend the stash of food and fuel. The hoarding up and boarding up may seem a trifle silly among unbelievers, but among Christians it is shameful.

A number of Christian leaders spoke of Y2K as a judgment from God upon our sinful society. Where do they claim to have heard that, from God? If so, they are false prophets (Deut 18:22). If not, then why did anyone even listen to them? Do Christians have that much time on their hands? Several months ago a close friend of mine, a devout Christian man, related to me the conversation he had had with an unbeliever, trying to convince the person that at midnight, December 31, 1999, God would execute judgment on the world. What opinion of Christian wisdom is the unbeliever likely to have formed, based on that conversation?

Every few years, some outspoken Christian gets up and proclaims that he knows when the world is going to end. Because the Scripture teaches us that a person can’t possibly have that information, in every case that Christian makes a fool of himself and of the Church. Whenever a person adds to God’s word and preaches that message to others, he departs from the Word of God and enters the domain of teaching the wisdom of men. In his letters to churches and individuals, the Apostle Paul consistently pleaded with people not to be distracted by the doctrines of men, but to keep focused on the Gospel as taught by Jesus. In 2,000 years, how little the Church has learned!

Through the prophet Amos (8:11), God warned that one day He "would send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." As a New Millennium resolution, let us decide to place less emphasis on the wisdom of men, and more emphasis on the wisdom of God. Having been warned by God Himself, let us stock up with the provisions of His Word. As the psalmist said (119:11), "Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You."

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