There is something wonderful about time and graying, at least for me. Old business cycles come full circle, repeating themselves with a regularity that gives those that have witness them before reasons to be patient. As I listened to several young executives complain about how others had gotten ahead, I found remembering days past.
On this day, “they wonder why the wicked scorn God and get away with it, why the wicked are so cocksure they’ll never come up for audit.” (Psalm 10.13) Each was sure that there would never be a point of accountability. A cynical confidence seemed to pervade the group. They were sure that business models and strategies exploiting employees and customers alike would last forever. One could feel their resignation and despair. They wanted to believe that good would eventually triumph yet the evidence said otherwise.
I remember periods that my voice and thoughts echoed theirs. I can remember the feelings that come along with the thoughts. They are dark. They come, stay, and seem to linger long after one thinks they should. Bad guys seem to win.
Life continues to remind me that Divinity does hold its participants accountable. There is no formula to the process, yet there is evidence in my experience that people who act with compassion know and experience peace. There is also evidence that accountability does come with time. Whatever the process is, it is a mistake on everyone’s part to shape her/his life because of what happens or does not in another’s life. We have been given an invitation to embrace love in every aspect of our lives. In the larger scheme of life, this invitation is one that we can embrace to win. No matter what the score seems to be at the moment, with love, God is on our side.
There is no question that bad guys seem to win. Their schemes can work, for a time at least. It’s easy to forget that you and I have a choice. My choice is for God and the long term. It’s one’s life after all.
