Visibility

Many say it cannot be done.  City governments say keeping a city clean and providing working services are impossible, unending, and unrewarding tasks.  Non-profit organizations suggest that keeping accurate records is beyond anyone's ability.  Even political candidates suggest that telling the truth in all circumstances is asking the impossible.  It cannot be done, at least until someone does the impossible.
I do not have an example of every solution. Singapore is a visible example of how one can keep a city clean and provide working services.  Buses run on time, government agencies work, and even though it is dirty at night, come noon everything is clean again.  If this city can make it work, why should anything be impossible?  This community of over four million people models people working and living in harmony.  It should be obvious though it may difficult it is possible.
When I turn to the larger questions of life, it is almost too easy to assume that many goals and ideals are simply not possible.  There are limits and I should respect those boundaries.  Candidly, I put limitations in place that do not need to be there!  When I discover an example of the impossible, I find myself exploring the unimaginable.  Maybe, just maybe the impossible is within reach.  “This time the whole church and, in fact, everyone who heard of these things had a healthy respect for God.  They knew God was not to be trifled with.”  (Acts 5.11)  They heard, I discovered, what is impossible is possible.
Today I wonder if compassion and mercy are the ideal principles to be applied in every situation.  I consider the possibilities of justice taking precedence.  I wonder if revenge has a place in the natural course of life.  I ponder the viability of the ends justifying the means.  It is in this context that I rediscover God's hand in your life and mine.  I see God's mercy being played out in the lives of people I care about.  I experience the embrace of compassion.  God is visible in your life and mine.