Waterfalls

As I stand in front of a simple yet wonderful sculpture, reflecting on the soothing effect the cascading water has across its surface and on into my soul, I realize that the water itself has no active voice in the process.  The water is merely participating in the outcomes of its willingness to be what it is.  With the right temperature, environment (sculpture's surface), and direction (quiet pumps working in ways hidden from view), and a willingness to be what it was created to be, the water has quieted my soul, absorbed the turmoil I brought with me, and continued on as if it is none the heavier for the load I have released.  I need more waterfalls in my life.
I find myself reacting to the events playing out in my life as if the players involved had intentionally orchestrated the outcomes with me in mind.  They must know, or have at least considered what would happen to me if they began their paths.  They should have been watching along the way, adjusting their actions given the people along the way.   Yet, these waterfalls are often filled with individuals very much like me; naive participants in events driven by forces unseen, unknown, and often not knowingly chosen.
The candid reality of our lives rests in a simple fact.  Many terrible events occur as the result of ignorance, casualness, and ambivalence.  Evil initiate the flow and results follow.  Evil “stirred up the people, the religious leaders, and religion scholars.  They grabbed Stephen and took him before the High Council.” (Acts 6.12)  An innocent man brought to trial because of a hidden event set into action by Evil.
I find myself not wanting to be part of evil waterfalls in the lives of those around me.  You and I have the freedom to choose.  Today I want to be a participant in peace, wonder, and awe.  Letting myself go with God is the beginning of that process.  If I am intentional, present, and engaged, I can be an agent of compassion and a moving vehicle of acceptance.