Of course, the Rapture didn’t happen last Wednesday. Since childhood, I’ve lived through multiple predictions and have never been disappointed because Jesus made it clear that no one knows the day or the hour when He will appear. And yet, folks keep on naming a specific day. The term Rapture doesn’t even appear in the Bible and I’m not even certain it’s an event to actually anticipate in the manner so many preachers and movies represent to us. But I continue to keep the faith that one day the wrong on this earth will be turned right.
These are certainly dark times. Hate and bigotry have resurfaced in full force through the leadership Donald Trump and others like him. Every day, we face the kind of evil brutality not seen since the 1930s. A few people like it. But I’ve noticed that decent people around me are seething under the surface over the cruelty, corruption, lawlessness, and incompetence poisoning our country every day. I’m sure the generals who gathered this past week weren’t happy either. I just pray that they will be courageous enough to honor their oath to protect and defend our Constitution against the domestic enemies occupying our White House.
In the midst of all this chaos, I am determined to keep the faith. I have faith that God is not mocked and that people will reap what they sow. I have faith that those who call evil good and good evil will meet a terrible end. I have faith that those who live by the sword will die by it. I have faith that no weapon formed against those who do good will prosper. And I have faith that good will ultimately overcome evil. It may take a while and it may require a struggle, but I believe that there are more of us who stand on the side of good and of justice than there are of them who embrace hate and destruction. I have faith that the sleeping giants of decency, empathy, kindness, and justice within most people will rise from their slumber or busy lives and join forces against the violence, nastiness, and inhumanity trying to overtake us.
In a way, I’m grateful for these ugly days. The daily speeches and cruel events reveal the character of people around us. We now know that there is a segment of our society who rejoice in the suffering of others. We now know who the vile and violent people are. We now know that there are people in high places willing to lie, cheat and steal to gain power and riches. We now know who the cowards are in our universities, businesses and politics. We now know for certain that white supremacy, racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia remain as forces of hate to be reckoned with. But we also know that there are plenty of decent human beings who care about the plight and suffering of others enough to take action.
What is most important is that these times force us to look in the mirror. The evil folks will not recognize themselves as evil because they are deceived and consumed by hatred and scapegoating. However, the rest of us are being forced to see ourselves as either cowardly or courageous. In my book, the silent bystander is a coward. But the street protestor, the letter writer, the prayer warrior, the cartoonist, the actors in protest skits, the singer/songwriters, the podcasters, the comedians, the defense attorneys and prosecutors, the righteous judges, the teachers, the healthcare advocates, the social media activists, the righteous clergy, the donors and workers in civil rights organizations, the people who resign in protest, and the thoughtful voters are all courageous. I have faith in the God who fuels the determination of decent people and inspires their many courageous and creative acts of defiance. I have faith that those on the side of goodness and justice will fight and win against the evil that is trying to overtake us.
When I look in the mirror, I must see a fighter for goodness and justice if I am to have peace within my soul. I have faith in the God who gives me strength and guides my steps, not that I will be safe, but that I am doing what is right. I have to know that I have fought the good fight on behalf of those I love. Because I choose to be courageous every day, I can smile at my reflection in the mirror and have confidence that the loving God of good and justice is smiling down on me too.