Anxiety and the Amish

I have a lot of friends from many different walks of life. It’s been interesting watching the various reactions over the outcome of our last election. Some were elated. Some were thrown into deep despair. Those who were thrown into despair now talk of stockpiling ammunition, stocking up on food, and battening down the hatches. The constant talk of a “fiscal cliff” isn’t doing anyone’s nerves any good.

Frankly, our family’s hatches have always been battened down–whatever that phrase means. We have our own water filtration system, we have a wood burning stove and plenty of firewood. I’m almost always well stocked on beans and rice. I’m not a fan of shooting Bambi, but I would do so if it was necessary to feed my family. ( There’s usually a herd of deer in my garden every morning anyway.) Our decision to do this was not based on any political climate. We just like living in the country and are willing to sacrifice convenience and gasoline to do so.

But that isn’t really what I mean by battening down the hatches. One of the great benefits of having a Christian mindset is the reassurance that this world is not our home. The Lord is in charge, and we don’t have to be. If the world happens to be going to hell in a hand basket, that doesn’t mean that we have to go along.

A lot of people don’t realize that the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah has a twist. Those two cities were not destroyed because of the evil of their citizenry alone. They were destroyed because of the lack of TEN righteous people. That’s right. Just ten. God promised Abraham that He wouldn’t destroy the cities if He could find ten righteous people.

For those who are concerned about the moral decay of our country, I think this Biblical story has great significance. The only person anyone has control over is themselves. Attempting to live a life of true personal integrity and faith is one way to fight back against the darkness. .

I’ve been told that although the Amish do not bear arms, and are rarely political or evangelistic, they believe they are helping protect our country by simple, righteous living–of being part of that righteous “ten” who were missing when God decided to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah. Perhaps they are right. I certainly like to think so. One of my favorite things is to meditate on all the people whom I personally know who are living quiet, prayerful, Godly, lives. They give me hope, lift my spirits, and I have a suspicion that they might be our true first line of defense.