Ross Douththat recently pointed to a disturbing trend in American life… suicide is increasing. Since 2000, it has risen… up sharply among the middle-aged. The suicide rate for Americans 35-54 increased nearly 30 percent between 1999 and 2010; for men in their 50’s, it rose nearly 50 percent. To put this in perspective, more Americans now die of suicide than in car accidents and gun suicides are almost twice as common as gun homicides.
Sociologist
Brad Wilcox asserts that there is a strong link between suicide and weakened
social ties. In other words, the
more we retreat into our jobs, our busyness and our electronics/media, the more
estranged we are from one another.
He said that men are more likely to kill themselves ‘if/when they get disconnected
from the God-ordained institutions of marriage/family life and church life.’ The isolation resulting from this
retreat from meaningful community has a devastating effect on the relational, emotional
and mental health of men [in particular] and women.
As
Christians, we understand that we were created to live in communion with God
and in community with one another.
It is our hope that, as the Lord’s Church, we can make a life-and-death
difference in the lives of people in our area today and everyday. We live in a county with a very high
suicide rate. Let’s determine we
will do something to make a difference for someone before it is too late.
Pray with me… Loving Father,
to live apart from You is to miss the abundant/eternal life You want for
us. So we want to draw near to You
every day and feel You draw near to us, as You have promised You would. And let us not forget to draw near to
our families and our Christian friends who mean so much to us and who sustain
us in our dark days of despair. In
the Name of Jesus, amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Ken
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