Impact

Evil has and continues to touch your life and mine.  Clearly evil comes from all sides.  One can identify the enemies part of the time, however there is much in life escaping our analysis.  Who is the source of this pain?  Who will hold the unseen enemy accountable?  Who will fight what cannot be seen?
 
Whatever the answer is, remember there is a sizable portion of your hell and mine which came from the decisions and choices we made.  Often this realization is difficult.  I find myself in denial; of its existence, the ways I nurtures its ongoing survival, and how responsible I am for the pain I find myself in.  Concurrent with my struggle to identify and confront the evil without, is the quandary of how to deal with the actions of my soul.
 
In the season of giving there are three important points to remember.
 
First, the God I know understands the quagmire you and I are in.  God knows, is filled with compassion, and is acting accordingly.  The result of this action is accountability and restoration blended in a wonderful balance.
 
Second, it is important to realize we and “they won't get by with it.  As fire eats stubble and dry grass goes up in smoke, their souls will atrophy, their achievements crumble into dust, because they said no to the revelation of God-of-the-Angel-Armies, would have nothing to do with The Holy of Israel.” (Isaiah 5.24) 
 
Third, whatever the good and bad fills our history, this moment represents our window into the future.  We carry the opportunity to give others the compassion God gives us.  Who are sources of hope?  The answer is simple; you and I.  Who are agents of compassion?  Again the answer can be you and I.  Who can touch lives, confronting evil in the process?  This is our mission and purpose. 
 
The world has enough evil for multiple generations.  You and I represent force to confront, contain, and eliminate the pain and anguish all around us.  The force, power, and impact which comes, is under our control.  It’s time.