WRITING A BRAVE NEW FUTURE
Erick Brown
July 18, 2011
Filed under Commentary, Opinions
“Class of 2011!” is a phrase ringing in the ears of all soon-to-be high school graduates. As seniors finish what has been noted as “Chapter One” of their lives and disperse throughout the country to various colleges and opportunities, how will they write Chapter Two, and how will the world’s current events impact or conflict with your story?
In order to answer this crucial question, we must take a look at the current economic state of this country as well as global events. Will the U.S. dollar continue to plummet? Will oil prices continue to escalate? Is it possible another global war will develop? These are all very plausible factors that may impact all aspiring students and eventual working-class members in society.
Andre Tandayag, a senior here at CCA said, “I see myself as a lawyer or consultant in the next 5-10 years, but I think the economic climate will certainly hamper the availability of jobs for not just myself and my fellow classmates, but everyone else on a much more global scale.”
Interestingly enough, this is something many students today may not have thought about, simply because many do not see it as reality. However, the threat of these problems is not only looming, but could also be inevitable. The number of unemployed Americans is staggering, and one can only wonder, “Will there be enough jobs in the future?”
Economic insecurity has been increasing across the industrial world. As we look around us we see that alternative strategies for coping with unemployment in this brave new work world have not proven altogether satisfactory in the United States, or in other parts of the world.
In the U.S. the emphasis has been to create new jobs, but typically lower paying jobs have replaced higher paying jobs, leaving the American people with fewer options and pressuring both individuals and companies alike to downsize. This intensifies an already serious inequality with potentially explosive social and political implications.
Today, U.S. consumers are already feeling the effects of the oil-price shock. With the national price at $3.82 a gallon, the U.S. is spending $69.3 billion a year on oil imports. Compared to other federal spending programs, oil tops them all with the exception of transportation. The worst part is, this is just the beginning. Six out of ten Americans have been reported to travel less, according to the Reuters/IPSOS poll, which drastically affects the economy. Analysts predict prices may reach close to $5 dollars per gallon very soon. What will happen then?
Senior, Mike Hornsby, stated, “I think the economy will change within the next 10 years and life as we know it for every American will be different.” No longer will living in America be called “Living the American dream.” As an aspiring pastor attending Moody Bible Institute, Mike said, “As long as there is sin in the world, people will always need a shepherd.” Until the fateful day when Jesus comes back, it seems the world will just keep getting worse.
Despite the ominous state the world is in now, there will always be opportunities for us to prosper. The difference is, we will have to work much harder to succeed. Are you up for the task? Yes, jobs may be limited. Yes, our economy looks to be on the decline, and yes, a global war may be on the horizon, but that does not mean we should call it quits before our next chapter has begun.
Until Jesus’ return or until He calls us home, our job is to help write our future the best way we know how. We will do that by staying true to our Christian beliefs and supporting our government by contributing to our society and firmly pursuing our goals. Our country needs strong moral leaders in every field now more than ever. And most importantly, we will write our next chapter by trusting and following the Lord’s path for us.
The world is in need of a Savior and our Class of 2011 certainly can lead it to Him. Now, creating our story won’t be easy, but we know it has a victorious ending. We have assurance of that in Revelation 22:5, which says, “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign forever and ever.”