What tariffs can teach us
Don’t worry. This is not a political post. However, it’s hard to avoid the topic of “tariffs” today, whether we’re watching the news or our wallets. Always trying to make sense of things through the lens of God’s timeless, transcendent, and authoritative Word, it dawned on me that there could be an important spiritual application to draw from these current events.
I’m no economic whiz, but seeing how many products we buy from other countries - especially now that this economic principle has taken center stage - reveals that we have fallen prey to the tactics of other countries who have slowly been teaching us we can’t possibly live without them. Day by day, year by year….and boom, we are unable to function without ties to foreign nations. Independence and security seem vulnerable, if not impossible. Fear of short-term hardship has revealed how spoiled we have become, and how easily we can sell ourselves out for some ill-perceived comfort.
It may be an overused analogy, but the picture of a frog slowly being cooked in a pot of water can apply here, too. Human nature, it seems, is satisfied to sit in tepid water. We tell ourselves it could be worse. And hey, it’s not so uncomfortable once you get used to it. All the while, we remain clueless that our laziness has literally landed us in a pot of boiling water.
Isn’t sin a lot like that? At first we realize that what we’re doing or saying, and our pattern of thinking, is not ideal. But we justify in order to satisfy, and the once cacophonous conviction becomes an inconsequential murmuring that we swat away like a pesky gnat. Pretty soon, our laissez-faire approach, which kept us in the unnoticeable-to-us warming water - becomes our doom.
The Bible has much to say about paying attention, constantly working, and reorienting our minds and hearts to the Holy Spirit within us — instead of quenching that eternal, spiritual Voice with our temporary, physical focus.
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
and poverty will come on you like a thief
and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 24:33-34)
Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. (1 Thessalonians 5:1-6)
Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. (Ephesians 5:15-16)
Our gracious God gives us the strength to work. He gives us wisdom to work in the way that will bring Him glory - our ultimate purpose here. We do not have to be sidetracked and enslaved by sin that leads to death. Instead, He has given us access to the freedom that comes from doing things His way. And that takes a regular reorientation to His will; listening to His still, small voice; and awakening our hearts to the beauty of existing within the covenant security of His love as we respond with obedience.
We have been given a mission - one that we aren’t able to fulfill sitting down, or in a pot of tepid water sitting over a slowly rising burner.
Don’t be unaware of Satan’s schemes (2 Corinthians 2:11). Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things (Colossians 3:2).
The more we see with our spiritual eyes, the scarier it may become. After all, for a time, at least, it’s easier to go along to get along. But as believers in Jesus Christ, who empowers us to shine His Light to the world, we can translate our eternal hope to a temporary world and secure victory in hearts - the one place that no earthly threat can touch.
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21).
It’s time to get out of the water and get to work!