Thursday, 19 December, 2002

This is a part of a series of devotions based on: God Was In This Place & I , i Did Not Know - by Lawrence Kushner.



God does not intervene in the affairs of people, at least not in the way a parent might step in to settle a fight between children, take one of them to a physician, judge between children the righteous and wicked, punish the guilty, reward the innocent. These things can and do occur, but only through human agency. Therefore the question "Why is there evil in the world?" means "Why are human beings evil?" or "What is the origin of human cruelty?" Sometimes people suffer because of some evil they themselves or others do or did not do, and sometimes they suffer through no one's fault, although the range of accidents tends to diminish sharply with maturity and responsibility.



I know that some folks will not like the beginning statement of the first sentence in this quote. Then again, many people really do affirm this kind of world view. It does not mean that God is not active and moving within our lives. On the contrary, Kushner seems to really place the action of God's will within the lives of God's people. From yesterday, when we heard about evil having to do with "intentions," it makes sense that the question about how God works in the world would be directed back into a question about you and I...and why we act the way we do. We are called to be a people who prayerfully turn to the will of God that it may be a part of our lives...that justice, peace, mercy, loving kindness and forgiveness may indeed be the present face of God's people within our world. What would such a face offer to the world in the face of evil as it presents itself among us? Hopefully, as we continue to remind each other of the story of our God who is eternally for us and with us, we may be a part of compassionate life that will not tolerate the forces of evil and how evil tears at the human community.



Connection: How does maturity and responsibility within the reign of God look in everyday matters? I suppose we must practice such disciplines and see how it takes shape.



O God Most High, linger with us and guide us into the paths of your will so we may begin to move through this day as agents of your gracious reign. Amen.