There are times when a storm seems to be unceasing, giving the impression that prayers are ignored while earthly fortunes of the adversary seem on a meteoric rise with no sign of ending any time soon. But know that things are not always as they appear to be.
Disillusioned children of God became increasingly agitated, aggravated and confused when over the first two years of the administration, the incumbent attained gleeful satisfaction in destroying every remnant of President Obama’s legacy – even if it meant endangering Americans’ health, empowering gun violence and antagonizing the poor.
During that same time, the climate of hatred became palpable as the incumbent went from the subtle bigotry of a “dog whistle” nature to unbridled public disdain for people of color that came off more as a “bull horn” – the appropriate tool for such a bully.
People have been befuddled over how educated Americans indulge despicable leadership allowing shameless references to women, people of Hispanic origins, those who choose to worship differently, and nations with predominantly Black populations – blatantly preferring immigrants from virtually all-white countries.
It is amazing to see how our “Hear No Evil, See No Evil, Speak No Evil” Congress refuses even to censure or sanction a chief executive as he stands alongside the tyrannical leader of our most vicious enemy – supporting Putin not only over trusted and traditional allies but over the intelligence and law enforcement institutions of the United States.
No sensible person can debate that the atmosphere of confrontation established by the most vocal proponent contributed to a plot to send bombs to the homes of more than a dozen outspoken critics of the administration, a plot in Kansas to bomb a mosque, a racially-motivated murder of two Black Americans in Kentucky and the atrocious slaying of 11 Jewish worshippers in a Pittsburgh synagogue.
Then instead of easing the tension and calming Americans, this leader stokes the fire with talk of sending troops to ward off a non-existent invasion of immigrants and makes a hollow threat to sign an executive order abolishing the 14th Amendment which gives citizen rights to babies born in the U.S. Rather than try to calm the waters in the face of tragedy, 45 opts to stir yet an even more forceful tempest.
And to the initial question, some people of good faith – Protestant, Muslim, Catholic, Jewish and other – scratch their heads befuddled by the perception that, best case scenario, God is allowing this inhumanity and, worst case scenario, it is God’s will that these hurtful circumstances should occur.
Neither is true. We don’t have the capacity to comprehend because our mind is not his mind. And before one gets too self-indulgent in their philosophy or interpretation of events, they should heed the Biblical admonition not to get caught up in one’s own understanding. So what in fact is happening? It will be revealed in God’s timing.
But what we know is that all those involved will be held accountable for each and every act of this administration clearly contrary to the word of God. We know that each one of them whether in the White House, Congress, the Supreme Court, the State House, the Governor’s Mansion or City Hall will eventually reap what they sow.
The outcome of this week’s election is just the tip of the iceberg. The year 2020 is just around the corner and the final chapter for the ongoing woeful saga is already written. The old folks said rightfully that “troubles don’t last always.” We know children of God will be victorious because the righteous will never be forsaken. Consider this story:
Two angels, one young and one old, were on a journey. They went to the home of an affluent widow to seek a resting place for the night. Though the widow lived in a mansion with five unoccupied bedrooms, she relegated her clearly unwanted houseguests to a dark, dank basement. Before leaving the next morning, the older angel found a drafty hole in the wall of the basement. With a wave of his hand, he sealed it.
That next evening, the two angels sought accommodations at a brokendown farm house well along the road. A young, impoverished couple had little, but they offered the angels their own bed while they slept on the living room floor. The next morning, the angels were awakened by their sobbing. Asked what’s wrong, the man replied, “This morning I went out to milk our cow, our only remaining possession, and found her dead.”
Later that day on the journey, the young angel could contain himself no longer. He stopped his elder angel and asked how the first woman treated them meanly and he kindly rewarded her by repairing a hole in her wall, then allowed the gracious hosts on the second night to lose their only source of income. The young angel asked, “Why?”
The elder angel calmly responded: “I closed the hole in the wall of the hostile woman who treated us badly because deep inside of it was gold her husband had left hidden. If it had stayed open, someone would have eventually found it for her – increasing her riches.
“As for the man and his wife,” the older angel continued, “While all of you were sleep last night, I awakened to find the angel of death hovering over where they laid. As he pondered which of them to take, I convinced him instead to settle for the cow.” The young cherub was stunned. His elder admonished, “Things are not always as they appear to be.”
Americans should hold on to their faith, embracing the reality that God is still in control; trusting Him without ceasing – no matter how things may appear to be. It’s not over until God says it is over and the best is yet to come.
CIRCLE CITY CONNECTION by Vernon A. Williams is a series of essays on myriad topics that include social issues, human interest, entertainment and profiles of difference-makers who are forging change in a constantly evolving society.Williams is a 40-year veteran journalist based in Indianapolis, IN – commonly referred to as The Circle City. Send comments or questions to: [email protected].
