We are the problem

What's wrong with the economy?

What's wrong with the moral fabric in America?

What's wrong with the political system?

What's wrong with education?

What's wrong with kids?

The answer is simple - US.  We are the problem.  Namely - Christians.  Think that's harsh?  Think about it.

What's your "WHY"?

"What's your 'WHY'"? Rod asked.

I had no clue what a 'Y' was as it pertained to the ministry he was starting with two other guys.  Rod continued down the road "Why is the most important question that needs to be asked when you get into something.  If you have the wrong why, you won't succeed."

As I came to find out, Y was really WHY, and it pertained to the question and answer of "Why do you want to get into this?"  I've since turned it around to a few guys I work with to "Why did you take this job." and "Why are you still working here."

It has been said that if you ask why 5 times you get to the real root of what is going on (Sakichi Toyoda)

This principle is relevant in 3 main areas that our culture is undergoing right now.

1) Government

2) Religion/system of beliefs

3) Personal job/career choice

"What's your why?" 

Why is the government passing this bill?

Why do you believe what you believe?

Why do you want to work there?

For the purposes of career and job, it has a great deal to do with how motivated you are, how much you will care about your employer, and how loyal you will be.  If the why is money, then once the money is not there or not as much as you thought, then you will be discontent with your job.  If they why is hours, then once the hours are long or change, then you won't be happy. 

I'm not saying my "why" is the only why out there that is long lasting, but I am saying that my why has changed the way I view work and life.  If my why differs from this main why, then I often find myself doing things for the wrong reason.

I took my job because I feel like my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ wanted me here.  He orchestrated the events around my interviews, and through prayer and wise council, I was lead to my workplace.  So they money isn't the "best",  I could be making more.  The hours are good, I really like what I'm doing, but most importantly, I feel like this is where God wants me.  That's what makes all the difference.

The other two guys, much like myself when I heard the story, asked "What do you mean, what's a 'Y'"?

"Why is the most important question you can ask as we get into this.  For if you have the wrong why then we'll never succeed."  

So true.  Figure out your why, and things will begin to make a lot more sense.

In addition, I challenge you to begin asking why 5 times on important and even seemingly unimportant issues.  

Religion - 15 percent have no religion?

According to a new report by the American Religious Identification Survey (www.americanreligionsurvey-aris.org/), the percentage of American people claiming a religion is dropping (or the number of people saying they have no religion is growing).  

Here is a quick look at what the article says has happened over the last 19 years.

1990 - 8.2% of those surveyed had no religion

2001 - 14.2% of those surveyed had no religion

2008 - 15% 

Of those surveyed the percentage of Christians is slowly declining.  In the 1990's the percentage was around 86% that claimed to be Christian, now that number is closer to 76%.

There are several other interesting statistics from the research findings but we won't go over those in this post.  

I do want to focus on the Christian aspect of this. As an evangelical protestant Christian, I would say these numbers for % of Christians is skewed well out of proportion.  According the the North American Mission Board, close to 70% of Americans are "lost".  Barna research shows that 85% are self identified as Christian.  In other Barna research, "Born Again Christians" only represent 41% of the population (much closer to the NAMB numbers).  

So what's the right answer?  Who knows?  Well, God for sure knows, but other than that I'm not sure we can pin this hat on anyone else.  From my own experience, I would have to agree with NAMB and Barna.  The number of born again Christians is much lower than professing Christians.  3 in 10 or 4 in 10 is probably a good estimate.  For a Christian, this means that most people you come in contact with there is a good chance they are not saved - understand the gospel and have accepted Jesus and Lord and Saviour.

So the question me must ask ourselves, is what category do we fall into?  If you had to "prove" you were the born again Christian how would you?  Can you?  Does profession of being a Christian make you a Christian?  What does?  Examine yourself to know that you are in the faith.

The harvest is plentiful.  The workers are few.