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The New Year Brings New Possibilities, New Values

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 31, 2008

So it's finally time to put 2008 to rest.

This was not an easy year by any stretch of the imagination. The economy is limping into 2009 barely hanging on; many people have lost their jobs; area businesses have folded; foreclosures are coming in record numbers.

The fact remains, however, that we still live in the greatest nation in history. Florida is still the land of sunshine and opportunity. Tampa is still an awesome city.

Too much of our optimism remains rooted in entitlement rather than value, and we have to understand that "things will work out because we're American" is not only naïve, it's an idea destined to doom us to failure.
Economic stability and moral grounding turn out to be closely related.

Both require adherence to a fundamental set of values; both depend on a commitment to something larger than ourselves; both call for the investment of hard work; both value deposit over withdrawal; both thrive on accountability; both draw strength from self-sacrifice; and both are compromised by greed.

If there's been one lesson from 2008 it is this: Capitalism does not, will not, cannot work absent a viable moral foundation.

Over the years, this column has been candid regarding my personal journey of Christian faith. And regular readers understand that, while I openly follow Jesus, I have no interest in browbeating others into accepting my religious perspective.

I would be remiss, however, if I failed to ring in this New Year without pointing out the obvious: This country needs to get its spiritual heart recalibrated in a hurry.

We will not right this ship on our own. It's not how we were designed, and the sort of recovery we need is not possible unless we're willing to engage all of the resources we were created to enjoy.

Don't misunderstand me. I'm not talking about business as usual.

Business as usual is what got us to this place - and that includes a lot of what passes for religion.

Instead, I recommend that each one of us make a commitment to move into 2009 with our eyes prepared to see, our minds unclouded by greed and our spirits at least open to hearing the voice of the eternal.

That's all.

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.

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