In one way or another, every American looks to the New Year seeking some sort of change. Every single American, in one form or another, believes in the transformative power of one social entity or another. Weight loss, and body transformation, is very high on America's priority list. Home renovation, getting a better job, a new car, a new nose or new boobs, maybe a 'tucked' butt or tummy; all these are 'changes' American's seek in hope of a better life.
'New Year's resolutions' stats: http://www.statisticbrain.com/new-years-resolution-statistics/
On a more interpersonal, and a more magnanimous plane, American's utilize the energy of a New Year in seeking inner healing through counseling, family healing through apologies and forgiveness, and better social interaction through charitable outreaches. And all these are good in their own right.
Scientifically, God wired us to desire something better: http://www.scientificamerican.com/podcast/episode.cfm?id=where-the-desire-for-change-resides-09-09-09
But something is still missing in the American psyche!
America starves for change, real transformation, amidst an avalanche of advertising, promising happiness and completeness in muscles, cars, houses, vacations--all sparkling and new--but always replaced with a new gadget when the old one rusts and dies. America starves for change, real transformation, amidst an avalanche of politics, promising happiness and completeness in entitlements, pro-choice liberation, women's rights, gay rights, blanket amnesty, contraception, and the destruction of enslaving American tradition.
The false promise of hedonism: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07187a.htm
The false promise of the 'culture of death':http://www.ncregister.com/blog/jennifer-fulwiler/why-do-we-call-it-a-culture-of-death
But in the end, all these promises prove empty and void of Life!
So the dividing line in the American experiment can be deduced in one simple, even quite naive, question: 'Does God really work?'
The faithless say emphatically: 'No!' And that is their right. And we must consider that the faithless are not void of a positive contribution to our great society. For the products and the services, in which they contribute, truly offer Americans physical comfort and temporal pleasure. But their philosophies and religious vacuum suck the vitality and hope from the American heart.
The faithful, in varying energy, cry 'Amen,' or yes! And this is both their right, and proof of the grace from God. For Christian America is certainly not superior, physically or intellectually, to non-beleiving America. But Christian America is superior in one aspect. Christian America is bolder, more persevering, more hopeful, more honest, more forgiving, and much more charitable, not because Christian American's don't sin, or have personal weaknesses.
But because they do!
The transformative power of God's Love: http://blog.adw.org/2012/01/on-the-transformative-power-of-an-observed-love/
For Christian America understands its frailty, its culpability, and its true need for transformation; Christian America, however, seeks for transformation in a truly radical way. From a God, whom they believe really does work! From the God who shows His work in sinners becoming saints, through tangible changes in their lives, from Sacramental and charitable encounters springing from His Church!
So the next time you hear some people arguing over what is truly wrong with America today, consider their troubles, and their/our need for transformation, and seek to interject a little hope into their conversation in offering the aforementioned humble little question, 'Does God really work?'
What's your take? tranz4mation@comcast.net
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