Oil this. Oil that. Who has control of the oil vat?
Before you read this thinking, “Okay, so America is the Tin Man,” think again because that isn’t what I’m going for here. In fact the blog underneath this one is a discussion of the economic crisis of our time and its relation to God so, if you’re looking for economics, read that one. No, I’m taking a different approach here.
Through much observation and discussion over the past few months but especially over the last two weeks in particular, I have discovered an interesting phenomenon that seems to be plaguing our country; my very own generation.
Those ranging from their teens to their late 20’s have expressed to me their lack of concern for the current economic crisis in America, and it is painfully obvious to me that it is derived not from ignorance of the issue (which could be easily solved) but from slothful complacency. It seems that my generation just simply doesn’t care that jobs are being lost, oil is becoming increasingly scarce, etc.
Now, don’t misunderstand me: I don’t encourage for everyone to start worrying about this stuff. But certainly one can care and have concern for others and for their own future without giving in to an unhealthy worry that can plague one’s life.
My generation (to me at least) is the Tin Man; a stiff, unmovable mechanical man, in need of lubrication to break from his mold. We grew up in the excess of our country. We teethed on its plunders! Yesterday, a friend of mine said, “Once I graduate with this degree, I’ll start off making six figures.” No… No, you won’t, my friend. You probably won’t have any job to go to at all. This problem won’t just “work itself out” with people like us on the loose! This problem will take a conscious change of habit, not just from the “old fogies” but from the nation’s most targeted consumers as well; college-aged folks. We are in need of some serious lubrication. At least our parents’ generation knows what it’s like to have to conserve funds, budget, and do without. We don’t because we’ve never had to.
And I promise that I DO mean “WE” and not “you.” I fall into this mechanical body, too. I can preach to the choir here because I’m a member of it. I have cultivated a fertile field that is running out of nutrients just like the rest of you, and I have sat back and said, “Oh well, if I leave it alone, the nutrients will grow back…” Then, I continue to plant and choke the life out of it.
Just the other day, I was talking to a friend of mine about this crisis: “Grant, dude, this isn’t going to get fixed because people won’t change their ways. We’ve gotten to big of a money belly to shed those greenback pounds.” I proceeded to tell him of how poor I was and how my record deal fell through just before signing because of the economy, and then, I said, “I’m going to run over here and grab an Icee. You want one?” What?! An Icee?! Come on, Page! You just told him how poor you were!
I want to change. I do. But I’ve grown up able to buy some cheese tator-tots from Sonic for a snack. I’ve grown up able to buy a new pair of shoes just because the ones I have got scuffed or boring. I’ve grown up able to buy a new video game because I was tired of the one I bought two weeks ago. I’ve grown up with lots of TV channels. I’ve grown up able to buy 5 for $2 simply because it was a better deal than 3 for $1. I’ve grown up able to buy my NEEDLESS (gasp) cup of coffee!
It’s going to take a whole lot more than a shortage of oil to make this Tin Man realize that it is in severe need of lubrication; and more than a renewed oil supply to lubricate it. It is certainly noteworthy that the Tin Man truly found his heart once he was lubricated and had moved away from the mold for a while.
May God teach us how to let go of our “needs.” May God slap me in the face, and may God smile at you. May God be our lubrication!
