Despite improvements in our standard of living, life expectancy and health over the last few decades, there has been a growing sense of insecurity both in public and private life. Almost every aspect of daily life seems less certain than it used to and many people are fearful of the future.
Job insecurity
A study done in 1996/97 by the University of Melbourne Institute of Applied Economics and Social Research found that only 53% of Australian workers felt reasonably secure in their jobs. The figure had fallen from 73% in 1989/90. Low paid workers felt most insecure, but even those in middle and high income jobs were less secure than they had been.
The study also found that job security was almost as important as income to workers' satisfaction. Put another way, many would have been willing to accept a lower income in return for greater job security.
The working environment has changed in the last few years. Once school leavers would gain qualifications, find a job then work their way up the career ladder by virtue of their increasing experience. Now they are likely to change careers several times and can expect to spend a lifetime updating their qualifications.
Many full time workers spend their evenings and weekends studying, not to get a better job but just to stay employable. It's a sign of the times that the new Commissioner of Police in W.A. has both a law degree and an MBA, not just seniority, to recommend him.
Increasingly workers are being told that they must be "flexible" and "multi-skilled", willing to go where-ever work is available. Businesses are moving away from employing and training permanent staff, preferring instead to hire casual workers on contract. Not only is the casual worker's job less secure, it usually lacks any provision for holiday, sickness and long service leave payments.
Some people enjoy being self-employed contractors. Others, particularly those with families and a mortgage, find it extremely stressful.
Insecure relationships
Family life, once a source of security, has become another point of insecurity for many. The ready availability of no-fault divorce means that no-one can assume that their marriage will be "till death do us part". De facto relationships are even less secure. Children, observing what has happened to their friends, often have doubts about the future of their own family.
Environmental insecurity
Floods, fires, droughts and earthquakes have always threatened human life. Today the threat from the environment has become global, with air pollution, global warming, pests and diseases knowing no boundaries. Widespread pessimism about the earth's future has little to do with Biblical prophecies of the end times, and everything to do with scientific forecasts broadcast by the media. Inevitably floods recede and rain eventually follows drought, but man-made disasters require man-made solutions, and few people place much trust in a future which depends on the goodwill of other human beings.
Personal insecurity
Almost weekly we hear of elderly people being bashed and robbed in their homes or on the streets. Drivers have their cars hijacked, teenagers using public transport have their property and even their clothing stolen. It is hardly surprising that people no longer feel secure either in their homes or in public areas. To some extent fear has been exaggerated by media coverage. Nevertheless, most of us know of a neighbour who has been robbed, even if we have not been robbed ourselves.
Signs of insecurity are everywhere. Houses have barred windows, locked doors and security lights. New suburbs are built with high walls, like medieval cities while more up market homes are often built like technological fortresses. Many public places have security cameras, and few children play on the streets.
The effects of insecurity
In comparison to the plight of millions, our worries seem almost petty. Yet any threat to our future security is a niggling reminder of our own mortality. It is easy to fall into the trap of believing that by accumulating wealth, staying fit, taking out insurance or perhaps even by being "good" we can protect ourselves from the inevitability of death. The death of someone like Princess Diana is a shocking reminder that even youth, riches, beauty and fame will not preserve us.
Insecurity is an evil in itself, causing much personal unhappiness and taking way people's ability to enjoy what is good in life. Insecure people often become hostile towards their real or supposed persecutors, and vindictive towards those who appear better off. At a national level insecurity is a precursor to war.
Insecurity is not bad news for everyone. Those who make and sell security systems are doing well. Counsellors and therapists have popped up in every suburb. Many groups and sects prey on people's fears and insecurity to attract new members, (a technique used effectively by the One Nation Party).
Salt and light
Christians may be tempted to do the same. However, we need to be careful not to encourage people's fears in order to win them over. It surely isn't godly to rejoice that evil is increasing in our society. Rather, we are called to be both salt (preserving our society) and light (showing the way).
Although there has never been a golden age in which people lived together in peace and harmony, the last century has seen a breakdown in the unspoken "social contract" which once held communities together. People no longer feel responsible for each other. There has been a shift away from "love your neighbour" (or at the very least "do no harm to your neighbour") to "protect yourself from your neighbour".
Our role as "salt" is to counteract this tendency. Whether it is by small acts of kindness to individuals, by inviting others to share in the fellowship of the church or by social and political action (or all three) can only be determined by prayer.
We become a "light" in our society when we learn to overcome our own sense of insecurity and start to live as truly biblical Christians.
The Bible doesn't pretend to offer material security to those who follow Christ. If anything a disciple of Christ must give up the search for material security. Jesus warned those who followed him that, while the rewards would be great, the cost might include their homes, families, property and even their lives.
Nor does the Bible offer any certainty for the future, in this life. We are not forbidden from making plans but our attitude to the future must be "If God wills it, then we will do this or that....". (James 4.15).
By Dr Stella Budrikis
© Copyright 1999