Equity for all

The value of lasting Infrastructure

Lets assume for a moment there is a real God out there in the cosmos. This entity is not the creation of a needy human mind as Sigmund Freud supposes. If such a force exists then it would necessarily be something of vast wisdom. Should this God of ours be relational based, then the vastness of a empty universe would not be a happy place to exist. Let's suppose that He chose to create something out of nothing to find some greater pleasure and meaning. Yet in so doing decided that true fellowship could only exist with a free will to chose to do so. The creation of mankind could have been two fold. First and foremost was to be a companion to the creator and second to be a steward of His creation.

Granting a choice to be a companion carries with it consequences. For the sake of further discussion lets assume that in mankind's process of making these choices that a breach occurred . This breach of mutual trust resulted in foundational shifts in how God and mankind relate to each other. This complicated their relationship profoundly. Something dramatic had to happen if there was ever going to be restoration of the relationship. Someone or something had to bridge the gap.

What gets lost by many who choose to cross the bridge is the profound lack of understanding that along with the restoration of the relationship comes the responsibility of stewardship.  This lack of understanding is often communicated through various theological stances.  Its more convenient and profitable to fleece the sheep while they are asleep.

If our benevolent God is trustworthy then he does not show favoritism toward any part of humanity. He puts part of himself into every life that is formed from the moment of conception. This sharing of himself is a bond that all of humanity shares. He would necessarily place the intellect and ability to solve many problems across the globe not in one geographic location but in many. This bond between the village of humanity would assure that all were given the equitable share of solving problems while being a productive member of the whole.

That would necessarily leave us with a great delima. Our benevolent creator would without question deposit in some third world people group the answers to what the "others" might be looking for. By not having equal access to the basics of health, food and shelter, the elite of society would be cutting off their nose to spite their face. Their comfort would be their own undoing.

If there was any one tribe that rose up to dominate any other, He would I am sure chose to take them down a peg or two as the saying goes. No one people group would be afforded the opportunity to enslave others. History records the rise and fall of many civilizations across the eons. Their scattered ruins litter the surface of the planet. The big question is are we facing just such a re balance within the larger confines of a global perspective.

Surly justice would be the foundation of God's relationship with his creation. If that is the case then how can so few use so much of the worlds resources and expect to continue in their pillage without bearing the consequences? How could justice allow so many to be enslaved by so few? How can our failure of our stewardship continued unabated under the watchful eye of our creator God?

How can the "machinery," of those who claim to be serving be allowed to crush the life out of innocent people? If by some miracle a mechanism, machine or invention afford us the ability to continue the American Lifestyle without cost, would we choose to continue to embrace it? Is having the money to do something the same thing as having the moral imperative to spend it any way we wish? Just because we have the money to live large doesn't mean we should. Right?

Does funding, constructing and maintaining a purpose built space that seats some hundreds for only two or three hours a week honor the creator of the universe? Add to this the often popular architectural idolatry to the mix only complicates things further. If such places began to pay property taxes like any other structure in town, what would be the benefit from it as a whole? How many teachers could be hired? How many policemen could be equipped with better equipment?

Should by some miracle we as a society are given the opportunity to improve our infrastructure, how would we spend the money? If all we do is expand the status quo, then we will have accomplished absolutely nothing. Bigger is not better while more of the same only delays the inevitable failure of our "Roman Empire." We have to change everything from our eating habits to how we purchase health care.

If you think the government is going to do it, think again. Government is simply the reflection of the people. That is a terrible indictment against us given the horrid shape of today's government.  But this simple truth may not be pleasant to embrace.  When we change the government will have no other choice but to follow suite or become more irrelevant than it already is. It is the ordinary citizens who have to rise to the occasion by saying enough is enough. 

Many, many pockets of people are rising to the occasion. I was fortunate enough to visit our local farmers market today. Local people raising healthy local food. Micro- Architecture is sweeping many different parts of the country. Cut off the mortgage cash cow to the banks and watch how quickly they sing a different tune. Stop buying all of the Cabal's "stuff," and watch what happens.

We need to invest wisely in new systems and new models. Everything from community planning to architecture heeds to shift its emphasis. Its not difficult nor does it take a lot of money. All we need is a change of heart and willingness to embrace new approaches. The embryonic stages of this revolution is already surfacing when you know what to look for. 

I can't believe that God would ever be more pleased than the day we stopped the madness. If our God is all powerful not the figments of our imaginations, then I would suppose that any steps in this new direction would be empowered with help. America needs to dramatically down size just about everything to make room for everyone else. Its going to happen voluntarily or involuntary. The choice is ours. Having crossed over a bridge of reconciliation, do we not want to honor the builder of it? No one issue could be more of an imperative for us as we face the choices of how to rebuild the infrastructure of humanity. Will we simply build another Detroit or will we do something more lasting? The choice is ours, lets hope we choose wisely.