Nov
13
2009
A Word of Optimism from the State of Perpetual Bad News
Apparently I live in one of the worst states in the union. From foreclosures (top five) to adult obesity (top ten) to unemployment (the highest in the country at 15.3%), Michigan is not exactly a happening place these days. Our tax breaks backfire. Our incentives don’t motivate. And our plan to be the Hollywood of the Midwest never turned a profit. It’s gotten so bad we are lobbying to get the Gitmo detainees.
And then there’s Detroit which has become, alternatively, a laughing stock or a pity party. Two-thirds of the Big Three are owned by the government. The Lions are unremittingly awful. The Wolverines are falling apart. The weather is cold and snowy. The roads have craters for potholes. Even the movie version of Cloudy With a Chance for Meatballs modeled their loser town after one in Michigan (the main character is Flint Lockwood who at one point ruins Sardine Land, a poke at the failed AutoWorld from the 1980s).
Can things get any worse? According to my local paper (Michigan’s Woes Likely to Drag On), they’re not going to get better anytime soon. And when my state does make some positive news, like it did in the latest issue of World, it’s for a man from Lansing setting the record for Madagascar hissing cockroaches in the mouth. You’ve made all us proud, son.
We even have our own tear-jerking commercials that try to make us feel better about the six months of winter coming.
Whenever I hear these Pure Michigan commercials I’m not sure if I’m supposed to smile or cry or just not move out of the state.
But Michigan really isn’t quite as dismal as you might think. Most people who want one still have a job (including virtually everyone in my church, so this is not a “woe for us” piece). Billions of dollars are still forked over for our cars. Our indoor plumbing still works. And the sun shines every once in awhile.
Better yet, the gospel is still true. Jesus still reigns. He has all the money we could ever need, and he knows how to get his work accomplished without money too. Jesus still saves. The most important news is always good news everyday.
At times, I admit I wonder what it could be like in Michigan in 5-10 years. What if Lansing goes the way of Chewandswallow? What if the state can’t support its colleges and MSU has to make drastic cuts? What if our best people are forced to move away to find work? What if this whole global warming thing never pans out and we get buried in snow year after year?
But then I think, what if people see their need for God in the midst of economic turmoil? What if the church can show the love of Jesus to the poor and frightened? What if we can demonstrate the joy of Christ in the midst of struggle? What if hardship makes us holier? What if God chooses to bring life out of death? That seems to be his way, does it not?
So listen all you God-fearing Michiganders (yes, we are called Michiganders): hold your heads up high. Politics and policies may fail, but the word of God is not bound. Famine, nakedness, peril, sword, and the auto industry cannot separate you from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. God sent his Son for Saginaw and Alpena and Escanaba and Benton Harbor and Jackson just as much as for Boston, Austin, and New York City. God cares about the rust-belt cities too.
And as a special bonus for those of us in Michigan, God knows our city like we know the palms of our right hands.
16 Comments
Kevin,
Lansing is a much different world than Flint. I thought I ‘turned the lights out’ when I moved from Flint last December.
All kidding aside, Michigan has a special place in my heart. I know what you guys are up against. What I like to call the ‘labor union’ mentality was even creeping into the church I was in.
If you (or anyone) are ever in the Flint area, I would recommend stopping by the church Mt. Morris Community Church and asking to talk to Eldon Busenitz. He was a wonderful mentor to me. He has faithfully preached the Word for 40+ years. His sermons on the book of Habakkuk were outstanding!!!
Amen! From up North
“Lansing is a much different world than Flint.” I didn’t want to dis all the Flintstones out there, but, yes, I’ve heard that often. I feel very blessed to be where I’m at. Lansing is in better shape than many Michigan cities. And the unemployment figures are very stratified by education level. The unemployment rate for those with a college degree is still quite low.
Kevin,
Being a student from Michigan at Southern Seminary, I get very excited when I meet students from the Great Lake State. I pray that God will continue to train and send mighty men of the Scriptures to your state, who as you say will only find lasting hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
I am encouraged that a number of students are training at SBTS (and elsewhere, too), and I hope that many may return to the Winter Wonderland.
Keep up the good work!
Dave Schrock
Mendon, MI ‘98
Albion College ‘02
I lived in Michigan for 11 years and loved it! 4 years for college (Grand Rapids) and 7 years in Kalamazoo! Great friends, good church, family all around!
We are currently in NJ – not sure that’s really much better than Michigan on the economic front, but . . . great friends, good church, family all around! And that’s what really matters!
. . . and on our next trip to Michigan – I am looking forward to visiting two “new” churches – Harvest OP in Grand Rapids (Wyoming) and University Reformed in Lansing. Our old “home” church (First Reformed, Kalamazoo) is no longer in existence.
I have a fondness for Michigan having grown up in Jackson (my parents were instrumental in starting the CRC there in the late 50’s) and living in G.R. (Calvin) and Fremont before moving west to Nebraska nearly 20 years ago. Kevin, I really appreciate your blog, insights, and your writing having just finished Why We Love The Church. You’re on the right path! Stay there and keep bringing it! We need more from your generation understanding, acknowledging, and preaching God’s sovereignty and grace!
Yep. That commercial sure makes me want to leave the 73 degrees we have in the Hill Country of Texas today and freeze my….
Is this commercial one of the Jeff Daniels (Hollywood in MI) productions? I must say I do like the background music in all of the “Pure Michigan” commercials. But not enough to come visit. Sorry.
This post is encouraging for a guy who lives in California, the most fiscally dysfunctional state in the country. And one of the top 5 most culturally liberal states in the union.
On the plus side, wasn’t it your guy Bart who forced Nancy Pelosi to cry “uncle” on federally-funded abortions? (Twas reported in the Wall Street Journal several days ago.) That merits strutting down those abandoned streets with uplifted chin.
They even cut my hometown newspaper, the Ann Arbor News, a few months back. Now we can’t even read about how bad our state is doing. And what about the Tigers’ season ending collapse and the Red Wings’ Game 7 loss? We really don’t have a lot going for this state.
But Kevin is right… We still have the good news of Christ!
I love Michigan. I am called to Michigan. Jesus is alive and well in Michigan. I love the Pure Michigan spots. We have hope for a hurting state. Kevin, you are an example of what makes Michigan a wonderful place. Thanks for your writing. All Hail the Power of Jesus Name, in Pure Michigan.
Amen!
Rev. DeYoung,
With all due respect, some people call themselves “Michiganders” like they’re Canadian geese or something, but the rest of us are Michiganians.
Of course, you can call that losing football team in Ann Arbor “The Michiganders” for all I care…
Tim
You guys may have it tough economically, but I have to confess that your state is blessed with some of the most gorgeous naturally forested beauty around. Go Ohio State
Greetings Kevin. Used to live in Windsor years ago, while attending university, and I got to cheer for the Tigers and the Lions. Sorry to hear of the problems in your state, but encouraged by your optimism and your desire to minister to those in need. God bless you,and have a happy American Thanksgiving. (We Canadians will enjoy the football marathon as we await our Grey Cup game this week-end.)