Injustice abounds at every corner. Terrible things happen to the innocents, those who are powerless are most often exploited, and even those who have nothing to gain lie to avoid the truth. The question often remains, lingering long after the initial shock has subsided and only the pain remains; what, if anything, can be done about the evil that perpetuated this wrong?
The meeting was simple and straight forward. The reporting relationship of one team was shifting to a new manager and the initial transition process had begun. As we walked through the subjects at hand it was easy to assume that everything would be open, honest, and transparent. There were no obvious issues, conflicts, or disagreements. What should have been simple and straight-forward was anything but. In actual fact the conversation was a series of truths mixed with outright lies. How does one confront blatant falsehood? What should one do when a peer deliberately misleads and misrepresents? The pain that others had already suffered was compounded by the harsh realities of corporate life.
This isn’t the first time. People across the ages have been slaves to those who were in positions to help. Conflicts extract an extraordinary price from those least able to live with the outcome. Innocents, young, and those who focus on working hard suffer far more than the schemers, plotters, and manipulators. God was blunt in his confrontation of those who had taken advantage of others. “But I'm going to reverse your crime. I'm going to free those slaves. I'll have done to you what you did to them.” (Joel 3.7)
If only I was God in the meeting I would have had the power, insight, and knowledge to deal with the problem. I’m not and neither are you. Far too often you and I find ourselves in situations where pain, suffering, and abuse are going on. At times we are even the source! The question is not if these things are happening. The real question gives us our answer. Which side are we on; compassion and community or self and preservation?
