By LARRY BURKETT, with Joseph Slife

I’ve heard many comments lately about an issue of great concern to our economic future: the so-called year 2000 problem, or "millennium bug."

If you haven’t heard about the problem, here’s some background. Most mainframe computers—and a significant number of personal computers—use two digits rather than four to indicate the year. For example, to these computers 1998 is simply "98 cytotec online."

When the year 2000 arrives, the year designation will read "00 accutane." Many computers will assume "00" means 1900 and will start generating erroneous data, or they could shut down entirely temovate.

Experts say the possible fallout from the two missing digits could range from minor inconveniences to an economic recession.

According to Rep. Jim Leach (R-Iowa), chairman of the House Banking Committee, the millennium bug "could mean errors in checking account transactions, interest calculations, or payment schedules. It could mean problems with ATM systems or credit and debit cards. It could affect bank record keeping, investments, currency transfers, and legal liability. It might interfere with payment systems . . . and affect [electronic funds] transfers for payroll or pension recipients." And there’s more.

Because most of our economy is so computer-dependent, widespread computer malfunctions could cripple normal economic activity. A small-scale example of what could happen occurred just a few months ago when two U.S. railroads, Union Pacific and Southern Pacific, merged. Unfortunately, their computer systems couldn’t communicate.

Bumper crops of grain ended up being stranded in the Midwest, California ports were clogged with items that couldn’t go anywhere, and production of everything from steel to petrochemicals had to come to a halt—all because of a computer glitch at one company.

Multiply these kinds of problems by millions of businesses—not just in the U.S. but around the world—and you can understand why the millennium bug is of such concern.

What’s the solution? Can’t programmers just tell computers to read four-digit years? In theory, yes; the problem is the enormity of the job. Between now and 2000, billions of lines of computer code must be repaired, often one line at a time. Then everything has to be tested repeatedly to ensure that no glitches remain.

Sen. Robert Bennett (R-Utah), chairman of the Senate Banking Subcommittee on Financial Services and Technology, compares fixing the millennium bug to replacing every single rivet on the Golden Gate Bridge at the same time during rush hour!

Many of the people who’ve written to me about this issue have expressed fear about the potential impact of the year 2000 problem. Let me be clear: We should be concerned about this problem and be prudent in our planning, but we who are followers of Christ should not be fearful!

God has told us that if we will put our trust in Him, we need not be afraid, no matter what happens. In fact, when trouble comes, God’s people have their greatest opportunity to let their lights shine in a dark world.

The Lord sometimes uses economic upheaval to drive the lost to seek Him. Let’s pray that if the millennium bug does create financial turmoil, God will use us to reap from that situation a harvest of souls for His kingdom.

"For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).