Hindsight is always much easier. It is as if the mind finally clears and the critical points reveal themselves. When one thinks back over the decades since World War II; the issues surrounding the war, the blatancy of evil, and humanity’s crisis seem hard to even think of denying. Yet for many who were alive the picture was hazy. In spite of the evidence it took a blistering attack on America’s soil to trigger true, open, honest engagement. I can’t help wonder what it would have been like if America’s engagement had started with the first act of aggression back in 1939.
The defense for America’s delay rests in how personally this country was being impacted. I strongly agree with the concern because the alternative is that one country arbitrarily and unilaterally takes on the role of the world’s policeman, judge, and arbitrator. There are far too many examples of greed masking itself as compassion, justice parading under the guise as one coming to the aid of the exploited, and self interest dominating community goals. The challenge is that not being engaged is never the answer to anything! Be alive! Have a view! Take a position!
History and memories are here to teach us more about today, the moment that exist. How engaged do we want to be in life? Is our blindness to other’s pain merely a mask we wear in an attempt to protect ourselves from our own humiliation? Does our inability to respond to those in need reflect our anger, frustration, and withdrawal from life itself? Are these feelings growing with the passing of time instead of being addressed?
In hindsight I see that yesterday was far simpler and at the same time more complex. I could have seen the opportunities to address acts of selfishness. I could have heeded the call to “swing the sickle—the harvest is ready. Stomp on the grapes—the winepress is full. The wine vats are full, overflowing with vintage evil.” (Joel 3.13) I pray that you and I don’t lose the moment. Seize the day, act!
