Sad Cities

According to MSN, "Some U.S. cities were depressed even before the economy went on life support. These were the cities that saw the highest depression and suicide rates even while the Dow Jones was climbing to 14,000 and Countrywide Financial was considered a respected mortgage lender. Why? Blame a variety of reasons, from divorce and crime to lousy weather and job loss. As the rest of the country struggles with the financial crisis, it is possible that some of these cities may soon become even unhappier."

Then, MSN went on to list the 10 unhappiest US Cities...they'll shock you.
1. Portland
2. St. Louis
3. New Orleans
4. Detroit
5. Cleveland
6. Jacksonville
7. Las Vegas
8. Nashville-Davidson
9. Cincinnati
10. Atlanta

When you think of the size of these cities, you realize we are talking about a massive number of people with a high degree of sadness. This morning I heard Supt. Paul Walter (Ohio FMC Superintendent) speak about what God said to Jonah about Nineveh. Niniveh would have ranked as one of the Old Testament 10 saddest cities because of the sin, dysfunction, and violence there. God said to the runaway prophet Jonah, "Isn't it right that I should care about what happens to this great city?" It was his heartfelt desire that Jonah would care, too, and would willingly be a tool to help the sad people in the sad, sad city see hope.

I think God feels the same way today about these cities. Do you care? Do I care? Let's pray today for the sad people in sad cities--let's pray for the believers to rise above circumstances, and be lights in a dark place. Pray for churches to care about what matters most, and be beacons of hope. "Is it not right that we should care for these great cities?"