Growing Pains...

And so it continues....
 
I have to wonder if we are perched on the precipice of a "defining moment" greater than any we've seen to date. But I think this time is interesting in that:

By historical timelines, we (as a country) are pretty much teenagers, and frankly we've been behaving as such. We're loud, spoiled, petty, obsessed with how we look and with being the "most popular kid/big man" on campus - the prettiest, wealthiest, funniest, smartest, etc. And why not?

Just like high school, much of our power and all of our collective "self-esteem" has been derived from these things. We've even been the peer that others feel pressured to "be just like" and to "try to fit in with their (American) friend" -hence the "Americanization" of the planet. And like teenagers, now that there are "new kids" on campus, we might not be the "cutest" any more; our place on campus is no longer assured and we feel insecure (even scared). We can no longer trade on our "looks" and "personality" - the world has seen it - and in our case, given our addiction to media - they've seen a lot... warts and all... "Familiarity breeds contempt?" (Old sayings are old for a reason. )

But now, we are about to have to step up and grow up. I truly believe that what we do next will define our "adulthood" as a nation - and we are really going to have to approach it as such. While our past points to great things, it is just that - the past.

What we do now and how we do it will determine the next 100 years. This can no longer be about internal agendas and a desire to feel secure and safe - we are so far past that, but don't really want to admit it to ourselves (teenagers love denial, "It's not our fault." ).

These are big times - we need big people. And the only way for that to happen is for us all to act like and become big people.

I have a feeling the growing pains are about to kick in - BUT, it could also be the beginning of great things - again, so much to ponder, meditate on and pray about.