Evil is real and it keeps on growing in the world today. I can see but do not understand the anger and hatred that drive ISIS extremists to such atrocities and violence. I am appalled and left utterly bewildered how our public officials can steal billions from the public coffers for their own personal benefit. I am sickened by perverts who prey on the innocent and vulnerable for their own selfish pleasures. There seems to be no limit to the greed and selfishness that drives the financial markets and I am disgusted how no amount of wealth can ever satisfy the wolves of Wall Street.
Evil lurks not only on the world stage but also in individual lives. Some people are so embittered by life, they go around sowing anger and hatred. There are people who are so rich or so poor they think they think they are entitled to just take anything they want or need. There are those who are so driven by hedonistic pleasure-seeking everything and everyone is just an instrument to attain ever higher highs.
I am not immune. I want to be generous and giving but I often put a limit to my giving. Often, scarcity mentality gets the better of me and I tell myself I have to save some for myself. Sometimes, in self-righteousness, I declare some people as not worthy of my charity. Or, even patting myself on the back, I declare others are not my responsibility. I want to be loving and forgiving. Yet, I still harbor and nurture a lot of past hurts. I say I will forgive but often postpone it for tomorrow. And when I am finally able to do something good, it is because of a heaven I am wishing or hoping for.
Life is difficult. And being good is even more so. In spite of this, there is something in me that says that life is about building up, not breaking down; that life is stronger than death; that light will overcome the darkness; that good will triumph and will finally trump evil. And there is a time for each of these. In prayer, I become aware and learn to live with these movements in my life.
The Lord will remember his covenant for ever.
~Psalm 111
When Jesus had driven out a demon, some of the crowd said:
“By the power of Beelzebub, the prince of demons, he drives out demons.”
Others, to test him, asked him for a sign from heaven.
But he knew their thoughts and said to them,
“Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste
and house will fall against house.
And if Satan is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand?”
For you say that it is by Beelzebub that I drive out demons.
If I, then, drive out demons by Beelzebub,
by whom do your own people drive them out?
Therefore they will be your judges.
But if it is by the finger of God that I drive out demons,
then the Kingdom of God has come upon you.
Luke 11:15–20