The Mideast cauldron continues to boil. Among Palestinians, the popularity of the terrorist Hamas organization has now translated into political power; Ariel Sharon's incapacitation has, for all practical purposes, left Israel in want of strong, effective leadership; Iran's troublesome leader and quest for nuclear weapons capability poses no small threat - a threat regarding which Israel has stated its commitment to effective counteraction if necessary; our own struggling, if not floundering, endeavor to establish democracy in Iraq, ad infinitum.
Jesus' Olivet Discourse depicts a time of ongoing and intensifying uncertainty, chaos and confusion leading, ultimately, to a state wherein human existence itself is at risk (Matt. 24:22). Given the prophetic significance of the region involved and continued development of nuclear weapons capability by sometimes less than responsible (to little mention congenial) powers on the wider global scale, present trend and development should not be taken lightly.
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FINDING THE FOCUS
Yesterday, a lady at the Post Office approached me in an apologetic manner. She had, she shared, run out of gas on her way home from the doctor's office. Could I help with even a gallon of gas?
The approach, of course, is typical of persons in need of a drink or "fix." Those in pastoral ministry know the story well. As such, one soon learns to avoid being manipulated by those in need of "assistance" with which to proceed to their "new job" in Ohio, or who, for some strange reason, seem unable to produce their "hungry children" who have not eaten for two days - or whatever.
And yet, when approached by the lady yesterday, the thought of "What if...?" ran through my mind. Reaching for my wallet, I dropped a small denomination bill onto the table in front of her and made my departure.
And then it struck home. Quite apart from the truth of her story or lack of such, might not my response have demonstrated something less than a spirit of grace? Not that one wishes to subsidize negative habits but, in simple objectivity, would five dollars have sponsored her going on a weekend binge or made a final difference in her drug problem - should such indeed have been the case?
The fundamental point was my having been confronted by an individual in need (whatever that need might have been) - one for whom Christ, in his love, had died. Had I failed to reflect his perspective? Apart from having, or not having, shared in a monetary sense, the question bothered me all the way home.
Burl Ratzsch
