I’m finding it more and more difficult to listen to or watch most news broadcasts these days because it seems terrorism, brutality and injustice (to name a few) dominate our world. For many around the globe, this weekend’s wedding of Prince Harry to Meaghan Markle was a delightful break from the non-stop streaming of pain.
That wedding has nothing to do with this week’s musings, but I wanted to set a positive tone for this article. Here goes: I’ve been thinking a lot about peaceful relationships closer to home and this morning’s sermon from a visiting pastor helped solidify those musings. Obviously, none of us can nor, it seems, can any single nation, bring peace to the world, but we have both the responsibility and the privilege to do all we can to demonstrate peace and justice to our own circle of friends, family, neighbours and acquaintances. In other words, to demonstrate honesty and integrity in our personal world.
When Cain was confronted by God, after murdering his brother Abel (Genesis 4), he retorted with these words: “Am I my brother’s keeper?” These words aren’t meant to explain the conversation between God and an evil man nor to justify a “holier than thou” attitude, they’re meant to lead us to appreciate the need to do what is right, no matter the consequences. Proverbs 21:15 says: ”It is a joy for the just to do justice ….”
To show justice – is it duty or joy? Well, in all honesty, it can be both. When there is a positive outcome, it feels good; when our attempts are ignored or rejected it can hurt. Sometimes it comes naturally, other times it takes great effort.
For the one whose heart is set on pleasing God, negative reactions from those around us can hurt deeply, but His approval brings joy.
