Our Biggest Crisis as a Nation

As Christ-followers, we realize that our Most Important Thing is to obey the Great Commission that Jesus gave to His disciples and to us as well: for us to go make disciples of all nations. The biggest issue facing mankind is sin and the need of each of us to repent and turn to God, receive His forgiveness and allow Him to come into our life and change us from the inside.

But, beyond that, what is the biggest crisis facing humanity on earth? Many will say it is international conflict, global climate change, racism, overpopulation or whatever.

I think the actual answer will surprise you. Scientists are increasingly seeing that the biggest problem facing human beings on planet earth in the coming decades is infertility: having too few babies. Rather than overpopulation it’s actually underpopulation!

Let me put it this way: it takes 2.1 babies born per female to have “Zero Population Growth.” One baby to replace the woman, one to replace the man, and .1 for those who can’t have children. This number is called the Total Fertility Rate (TFR). America’s TFR since 1975 has been below this number. It currently is at about 1.6, far fewer babies born to sustain our population in the long run. So deaths are already outnumbering births in parts of our culture. And this reality will only accelerate in the coming decades.

A recent article by the American Enterprise Institute highlighted this reality. It’s entitled “Rapid Fertility Decline Is an Existential Crisis” and is written by Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, an economist specializing in demographics at the University of Pennsylvania. The article documents how, in just a few decades, we in the U.S. will face an economic crisis “measured in the quadrillions of dollars.”

“Why is that?” you ask. Because the vast majority of nations in the world are having children well below the “replacement” level needed to simply break even. Things will tiptoe along for another about 30 years, and then major pain will begin. In parts of Asia—including China, South Korea and Japan—deaths are already outnumbering births. As a result, Japan’s GDP in recent years was growing much more slowly than that in the U.S. Their median age (with one-half of their population older, the other half younger) is very close to 50. In contrast, America’s median age is just under 40. (It has climbed from its value of 30 in 1980).

The Wall Street Journal has had a number of articles in recent years highlighting the impending negative impact on our nation and our world due to lower birthrates. In one of these articles from May of 2024 entitled “Suddenly There Aren’t Enough Babies. The Whole World Is Alarmed,” it said this:
“With no reversal in birthrates in sight, the attendant economic pressures are intensifying. Since the pandemic, labor shortages have become endemic throughout developed countries. That will only worsen in coming years as the post-crisis fall in birthrates yields an ever-shrinking inflow of young workers, placing more strain on healthcare and retirement systems.” 

But how do we reverse this trend away from low birthrates? Virtually all these articles agree that there is no known method that is able to turn this problem around. Nations have tried luring women financially and in other ways to have more children to no avail.

Let’s face it: bearing and raising another child is a lot of work. So why not focus on my needs and my career and my enjoyment and let other women do the heavy lifting!

Regrettably, we Christians have largely done the same thing. With few exceptions, Christian parents are having below replacement level numbers of children as well.

It’s time for repentance! Jesus gave all to us so we can be forgiven and be adopted into God’s forever family. How can we do less than give Him our all? That includes us married couples being willing to have all the children He sovereignly desires us to have and then miraculously produces through us.

Scary? Yes! But living wholeheartedly for God is our calling and our privilege! And ultimately our joy and crown!

After Marcia and I had four lovely and wonderful daughters, I was quite sure that was enough! But then my dear wife Marcia prayed a very scary prayer, “God, that is enough kids, right? But if you want to have more children, change Randy’s mind.”

Well, to put it bluntly, God did a number on me, until I felt pressured to say, “Ok, God. I’m willing to stop taking steps to prevent pregnancy. But I’m quite sure you understand we can’t handle nor afford any more kids around here. So, I’m quite sure that you, out of love, will close Marcia’s womb.”

So, a few months later, Marcia got my attention and, with a smile, shared with me that she was pregnant again. Seeing my rather surprised look, she asked, “Aren’t you happy about that, Randy?” “Oh, sure,” I haltingly said, “I’m happy,” Actually, I was totally blown back by what I had just heard.

But shame on me! Turns out, Marcia was pregnant with our dear son David. Then along came Suzie, John, Scott, Laurie, Daniel, Angela and Nathan! Each one uniquely crafted by our amazing God! Touching lives all around our nation for the glory of God! You can read more about this story and how God has amazingly met our financial and housing needs as well in this little booklet that you can download and read for free on our website.

Non-Christians will not likely change their choices to have more kids. Frankly, it’s up to us Christ-followers to lead the way. Maybe when non-Christians see us rejoicing with our growing families, many of them will follow our example (and hopefully come to faith in Jesus too!).

Bottom line, dear friends, make Jesus the Lord of your family size today. I promise that you will never regret it!