It’s become a common expression— “It’s all good!” But is that really so?
I don’t think so, and I can think of a few reasons for that.
If you hadn't noticed, there's quite a bit of unrest in the world. Unrest would be the politically correct euphemism to describe violence and political chaos. It's not just "out there" in the world somewhere, but at home in the US this past couple weeks.
I'm not a big fan of clichés, trite sayings, or catch phrases. Too often, they are expressions that mask the truth.
I'm not a conspiracist
I don't see life on this earth as an allegory.
I believe God is sovereign over all governments, including secret societies that would manipulate the world economy.
In short, God is bigger and brighter than any group of people on the earth. He has a plan far grander and more pervasive than any of us imagines, and there's been a lot of imaginings about end of the world scenarios.
I don't see life on this earth as an allegory
My basis for all this is what I read in the Bible. I especially like what one of the greatest tyrants of the world said, after personally experiencing God's sovereign power. You can read about him (Nebuchadnezzar) in the book of Daniel, chapter 4. It's a great story! Here's his observation—
At the end of the days I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High, and praised and honored him who lives forever, for his dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom endures from generation to generation; all the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, and he does according to his will among the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, “What have you done?” (Daniel 4:34-35)
I'm also not a Pollyanna
It's hard for me to go along in life as if "all things are good." I've traveled and lived outside of my home culture (the US), so I know that's not the case. There is a lot of injustice in the world.
Yes, injustice is alive and well in the US, but it can't be compared to what I've seen in other places throughout the world. This doesn't make it less unjust, but we all get a bit myopic about things—seeing what we see as if it were all there is to see.
Christian believers, of many backgrounds, have been in the forefront of bringing freedom for others, challenging injustice, and bringing relief in times of disaster and war. There have been more Christian believers persecuted in the past century than in all prior centuries combined. [Also see– http://www.persecution.org/ | http://www.persecution.com/]
Yes, of course, some out there will bring up the crusades and other unjust "Christian" history. But I'm referring to those Christians who are part of God's kingdom, not an extension of humanly driven kingdoms. Enough said on that. And, no, I'm not interested in your opinion on that, it isn't worth the time it would consume to debate it. That's not the point.
There is a lot of injustice in the world
The existence of injustice
Injustice exists because humans exist. People like you and me, who have chosen to exert our free will in opposition to God, and along the way, one another. So, we all are guilty of some form of injustice, prejudice, or indifference to injustice.
Injustice will continue until God's kingdom reigns on earth. Until then, each follower of Jesus, including me, is responsible to do something about injustice when we are confronted with it.
What prompted this post? The recent beheading of journalist Jim Foley, and the tragedy and protests in Ferguson, MO are part of the reason.
Honestly, I'm not that interested in what people's opinions are on all this, I can tune in to network news and get that. But I am wondering, how do you respond to injustice when it hits close to home?
How do you respond to injustice when it hits close to home?
One thing we can do—listen
One thing we can all do better is listen. Listen without prejudice or assumptions. As I've heard before, "God gave you two ears and one mouth!" I know that I learn a lot more by listening, really listening, than anything else. Especially when it has to do with situations where I'm ignorant.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. (James 1:19-20 NIV)
This past weekend I read a poignant article and listened to an insightful podcast related to the shooting in Ferguson. I encourage you to listen to these voices, even if you have a different view of things than what you hear.
BTW, I get that the saying, "It's all good" is meant in an innocuous way. It's just that, it's not all good... not from what I can see and hear.