Next

It’s easy to get caught in the trap.  Injustice is on the loose!  Stupidity has taken the top spot.  Idiocy is admired and respected.  Someone has to take charge!  Often I find myself in this battle – throwing my heart, soul, and anything else I can find into the breech against the enemy.  Nobody seems to be on my side, but who cares?  Allies seem scare and few, but what does it matter?  The cause is just, isn’t it?
 
In these situations I have sided with Captain Ahab.  We are taking on Moby Dick and only death will part us.  We’re caught in death spiral.  We are the first ones but maybe there is an answer to the angst.
 
I would like to gently suggest three things.  I say gentle for a simple reason.  Frequently those caught in the trap are passionate, willing to give up anything for the cause.  I admire the commitment.  I love the energy and engagement the battle shows.  I find myself remember my own battles, some for great causes, others just because they were right.  Yet, as I remember my own actions, there are “things” that we forget.
 
First, the battle between good and evil, just and unjust, self and community isn’t our battle, it is God’s.  We may be enlisted from time to time, but it isn’t our fight.
 
Second, we are called, you, me, everyone, to a mission of hope and compassion.  We have a mission in the present to help others in their struggle to find mercy, discovered hope, and experience peace. 
 
Three, in the process of fulfilling our mission we will often find ourselves on God’s battle field.  In these situations we need to listen for the Spirit’s call, be ready to act, and always remember our source of strength.
 
“And on that Day also, what's left of Israel, the ragtag survivors of Jacob, will no longer be fascinated by abusive, battering Assyria. They'll lean on God, The Holy—yes, truly. The ragtag remnant—what's left of Jacob—will come back to the Strong God.” (Isaiah 10.20, 21)