Joe Stack brought dejavu all over again

President Reagan and various congressmen pledged to crack down on tax cheaters who were stealing $10 billion (or was it 20?  Maybe 120 billion) from the government. The greatest offenders, of course, were small businesses like farmers and contract engineers who use cash accounting methods. 

On a windy overcast day in February 1985 we filed our tax return.  Our accountant had determined that we owed $1100, but there was less than $100 in the checking account so he recommended we file the return without payment and wait for them to contact us.

A few days later we received a demand letter from the IRS threatening to take our 13 year old car (estimated value, $300), seize our checking account, seize our savings account (what's savings?), seize our house (negative equity), garnishe our wages (wages require a job, right?), and if that is not enough we would be put in prison. (Then you'll be sorry.)

I was standing on the lawn facing a frigid northwest wind and as I looked over the barren, frozen landscape the vision of three hots and a cot in a Federal prison was quite appealing.

I am living proof of the unlimited Grace of a loving God.  We survived this and subsequent challenges without suffering imprisonment.  Looking back; I really don't know how we did it other than guidance from He who rules the universe.

Reading the manifesto from Mr. Stack, it seems his nightmare began with the tax reform act of 1986.  He placed his faith in government and people.  He believed that justice would always be done.  Things didn't work out as he thought they should.  He reportedly was a self reliant person, a characteristic celebrated in our culture.  Unfortunately, he learned that he was weak and there was no one he would trust to lead him from his spiritual desert.  So he did what he thought he could.

There were many times when I fantasized about similar acts of violence; but thank God, the Spirit showed me a better way.

So: what are the life lessons learned from this experience?

1) Please don't ask me to canonize Ronald Reagan.

2) All governments are inherently evil.  They can't help it.  Governments are invented by people, managed by people and exaggerate all the flaws of humanity.  The God of the universe placed unique persons in a unique place in history to create a new government designed to inhibit itself through checks and balances.  We need to return to that model.

3) Nobody is qualified to adjudicate "fairness".  Nobody.  Life is unfair.  Deal with it.

4) To those whom much has been given; much will be required.  When you are blessed, reach out and share the blessing.

5) Everyone will let you down at some point.  Everyone. The truth is that you have let others down on more than one occasion.  Guaranteed.  The only One you can rely on is the Creator of all things seen and unseen.  He guides those who seek Him in a relationship of abundant life.  Guaranteed.

6) The only thing standing between you and the promised abundant life is an unforgiving heart.  Do you harbor unforgiveness?  How's that workin' out for you?  How did it work out for Joe Stack? 

The choice is yours.