Vermin. Infestation. Not pleasant words nor pleasant
thoughts.
Someone I know has had to compromise her high standards and
accept that the rats infesting her balcony cannot be eradicated, just locked
out. There are reasons, but are they good enough?
In the western world, we are suffering violence of an
insidious and unprecedented nature, at least in my experience. Sudden wickedness
erupting in sleepy country parishes, shopping centres, joyful national
celebrations. Why? Vermin thinking left undealt with. Allowed to flourish.
There are reasons, but are they good enough?
Today I am thinking about those who are dreaming death and
destruction on minor or major scales. I am remembering a man, Saul of Tarsus,
who headed for Damascus two thousand years ago, breathing death and destruction
against those who didn’t agree with his brand of religion. And on the way, he
met a Man. A resurrected Man who is also God Almighty. And he was changed in a
flash. Literally. So I am praying that those who have been subverted by evil
will meet Jesus today, tonight, tomorrow, as they move along their dark roads,
and the Light will obliterate the darkness.
More than that, though. Vermin thinking flourishes when fed
by injustice. We have to recognise our part in creating this vile food source. We
have got to clean up our actions, our attitudes, and our prejudices. We have
got to live out the ideals of the Man from Galilee – love the God of peace, love
our neighbours, love ourselves, stop judging one another, celebrate diversity,
be filled with the Holy Spirit who brings his fruits – love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So
today I am praying that those of us who try to live good lives, and those of us
who confess Jesus as Lord, will also meet Jesus today, tonight, and tomorrow,
so that the Light will obliterate our darkness, too.
Enough of evil infestations. Let there be light.
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