What do I mean? Well, the present conflict in Syria is a good example of “bad and worse.” If Syria’s dictator Assad is defeated, he will likely be replaced by Sunni extremists sympathetic to al Qaeda. Next door in Egypt, a despot (supported by the U.S.) was driven out last year and replaced by the Muslim Brotherhood—an Islamic group who wants to annihilate Israel.
Since the whole world is under the influence of Satan—"the god of this world"—what else would you expect. Was there ever a better time to be citizens of another world, another reality, where only good, better, and best prevail (Romans 12:2). And where even the ‘bad’ choices of those who love Him cannot foil His plan to turn everything around for their good (Rom 8:28). If you make the LORD your refuge, no evil will conquer you... (Ps 91:10)—no matter who wins the election next month.
"You must no longer live as the 'earthlings' do, in futility,
for they are hopelessly confused" (Eph 4:17, NIV, NLT, GB).
Good morning Greg.
ReplyDeleteThoughtful post. Just as it is difficult to choose between two undesirable paths, so it is difficult to choose between two good paths. All too often, the best choice has been sacrificed in order to do the more convenient (and plausibly defensible) good choices. But in Paul's letter to the Philippians, he clearly outlines the decision matrix on those kinds of choices ((should I go to heaven or should I stay, should I keep Epaphroditus or should I send him, what should I do to assist the church in Philippi with issues in unity (hint: Timothy was sent for a reason)).
All too often, if we have an inaccurate or malfunctioning compass, we never know or are confident on where our true north is. So, we flounder in the morass of a broken world being pulled to and fro.
But has a better plan for us. We need to align to that plan.
Godspeed!
Larry Q
Thanks Larry. When you mentioned Philippians, I thought you might be referring to Paul's prayer:
ReplyDelete[I pray] that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. 1:10
People are trying to make good decisions without discernment. Maybe that is the compass you refer to!