“FREEDOM FOR FEAR OF WANT IS NOT ALL GAIN"

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28530, 8 March 1958, Page 10

“FREEDOM FOR FEAR OF WANT IS NOT ALL GAIN "

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Canon H. M. COCKS]

Jj'REEDOM from the fear of want is not all gain, for it removes the fear which keeps -a man on his toes and stimulates him to greater thingy and so it is apt to produce boredom and mediocrity. Yet all governments today are committed to the idea of the Welfare State, which attempts to protect their citizens from extreme privation from the cradle to*the grave, by what has been called “Womb-to-Tomb Social Security.” The disadvantages of the system are felt to be more than outweighed by the sense of security it brings. This hunger for security was recognised by Jesus Himself when He included in His prayer the petition, ‘‘Give us this day our daily bread.” How difficult it is for us to believe that we may depend upon permanent supplies is shown by the incompleteness of trust in a newly-elected government, when we all make a rush to the shops to buy up what they have. A new emphasis has been placed upon another form of security, emotional security. Many nervous disorders are traced to the lack of it. The unwanted child, unsure of his parents, becomes unsure of himself, fails in his examinations, is unable to make friends, and is lucky if he does not become a delinquent. The commander who leaves his men to face danger alone takes away their confidence in battle and destroys their courage. Emotional insecurity is like an earthquake that seems to take away the ground from under our feet. On the other hand, faith, hope and .love are emotions which provide a sense of stability, and this

removes nervous tensions and releases the potential forces in a man’s personality. Our need for security is so deep that it is not to be satisfied in social security alone, nor in the steadfastness of any man or woman. For one thing, supplies of food can never be completely certain. Bad seasons or a breakdown in trade may endanger our food supply. Also, people on whom we depend may betray, our trust, for no man or woman can be always steadfast. The need for ultimate security cannot be satisfied by food or personal relationships. In the end,. the immortal soul of man must find some basis outside the bounds of place and time. This has been sought for in ancient unchanging scriptures, in undeviating ritual, or codes of behaviour which, like the laws of the Medes and Persians, alter nbt. In the attempt to make these cults of religion permanent and enduring, they have too often become petrified, ceasing to be bread to nourish life, and becoming merely stones to sit upon. Happy are they who have lifelong friends. For at the human level they have learnt through ■ all the varied experiences of childhood and adult living to find something, someone, who endures. Complete and .utter security is only to be found in a personal relationship which endures through all experiences. We cannot provide this for each other, though we may help each other to a confidence that it is possible. Only God is sufficient for this. The problem to be solved is to bring wayward human beings, with all the insecurities they create, to grow to an awareness, and acceptance, of the steadfastness of the living God.