Understanding

Confusion is easy.  Something new or different, many things complex, and problems and questions with no obvious answer; each, it is own way, can confuse someone no matter how bright, experienced, or intelligent.  Life does this to me, especially when I add tiredness to the mix.  Voila!  Just when I think I have things under control “it” hits me.  I have no idea what, why, or how things got to where they are – but we are here!
 
 Getting out of control, walking into a blind, dark, corner, isn’t unusual.  We do it when we are old and young, full of understanding and simply enthusiastic about life.  Not getting the point, ignorantly taking a position, or seeing the world in pure black and white, always leads on towards the wrong path.  It may be straight forward, almost easy in a comforting kind of way, but it’s still a path with no future. 
 
The consequences are life threatening, for all ages.  A simple decision can travel with you for decades, permanently changing the course of your journey.  It can also put one self at grave risk; life itself on the line.  Even if we somehow survive the decisions we take determine where we have chosen to be carry on for eternity.
 
Candidly today’s “stuff” cannot go on forever.  Pick the area; known and unknown, seen and hidden, blatant and sly – it doesn’t matter; exploitation is what it is, abuse is what it is, and evil is what it is.  At some point God will call things for what they are.  Evil will be held to account.  Those involved will face judgment.  “And here's why: God is angry, good and angry with all the nations, so blazingly angry at their arms and armies that he's going to rid earth of them, wipe them out.”  (Isaiah 34.2)
 
And so we start today.  A world filled with chaos.  A world where deadlines, goals, and relationships flood our being at every corner.  It’s hard yet the choice is simple.  Will I walk striving to let community, mercy, and compassion drive every step?