Reflections From Sunday Evening

Violence. We witness a great evil in our country when one angry prison is capable of atrocities that hurt us all. There seems to be an evolution of evil.
We are all acquainted with mischief. Just this weekend someone scrubbed our church website, got contacts information of many of our teachers and group leaders and sent an e-mail. Trust me, I did
not ask anyone for a favor much less some gaming gift card. Delete.
No one is injured by this mischief, just irritated.
A step beyond that is malicious mischief. That seeks to do harm.
Then there is something that goes beyond malicious mischief.
In the hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, Martin Luther identified the source of evil.
“For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe,
His craft and power are great, and armed with cruel hate.
On earth is not his equal.
Cruel hate.
This is what we see. Angry, misguided individuals act on cruel hate.
Our police and first responders step in and limit the carnage. They were able to save countless lives in Dayton, Ohio this weekend.
Politicians have a responsibility. Some say “ arm everyone” while others call for gun control ranging
from “responsible” to “ total”.
If a young man had not taken a gun to First Friday’s in Kansas City, gotten into some sort of argument or altercation, then fired his gun in the air, a 25 year old woman would not have lost her life. Families are devastated.
People want to fix our problems. Let us encourage all in their efforts.
But what about us? What about we who follow Jesus? How do we combat “cruel evil”?
We turn again to Martin Luther.
“ Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing;
Doesn’t ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And he must win the battle,”

Jesus Christ defeats cruel evil.
Christ lives in us and empowers us to defeat cruel evil.
Christ is our hope - the hope of the world. We are called to make Hope the new reality.
By God’s Grace - it’s been a good day.
I hope you’ve had a good day too.
Steve