Value Infrastructure
written by Rev. Dr. Scott Paczkowski
“Being strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy”
We, Iowans, are not good at addressing infrastructure. Iowa’s bridges are a mess. According to KCCI news, “There are more than 23,000 bridges in Iowa, and the American Society of Civil Engineers says the state still has the highest number of structurally deficient bridges in the country.” For decades, Des Moines leaders ignored water drainage issues until a woman in her 90s named Gloria Hoffman had enough after her basement had several feet of water. Gloria almost single-handedly forced the city’s leadership to stop putting off the issue that devastated the community and address the issue.
Infrastructure is easy to ignore. It is easy to put off for tomorrow the things that are not tragic until they are catastrophic. Infrastructure often isn’t recognized until a bridge collapses, like the 35W bridge in Minneapolis, which killed 13 and injured 145 in 2007. More than just states and municipalities have infrastructure issues. We humans also struggle when we do not address our personal infrastructure. Our bodies begin to break down if we ignore our doctor or dentist. Our emotional and spiritual infrastructure also takes a beating when it is ignored.
Our emotional infrastructure is hurt when we ignore our inner pain, anger, and anxiety. We begin to lack self-control, and our hearts become cynical and bitter. Our inner selves also break when our spiritual infrastructure is ignored. When we put prayer, worship, communion, and care for others on the back burner, an inner breakdown occurs. The way to happiness and security is to address our inner needs with discipline and dedication. You think drainage and bridges are easy to ignore when we get heavy rain and drive over bridges; just imagine how easy it is to ignore our inner life, which is not as easy to see.
Today, focus on your spiritual life, like a civil engineer inspecting a bridge or drainage system. What is weak and breaking down under the weight of the world’s demands? Then, like the city of Des Moines, spend the time necessary to fix the problem. Step up, name the issue, and do what is needed to strengthen the weak areas. If you do not want a spiritual breakdown, reinvest your time and focus on prayer, worship, and care to remain strong when the world’s weight presses in on you. Joy will replace anxiety, and God will bring renewed hope. It is time to stop putting it off and get to work.
