Thoughts 5.21.21
Thinking lately, probably like you, about the state of the world. About where it is headed, about its trends and the malevolent scenarios all too frequently characteristic of its direction. I’m thinking about people, and their foolish pride, their arrogant actions and their seemingly rash reactions. I’m angry at the impatience of those I observe, the injustices pervading everywhere, and the hate exuding from seemingly every corner- and then I walk past a reflection of myself, or peer into the depths of my eyes in the morning and this poison is also in me. The abhorrence of all those things I have for others, I equally if not more so have for myself. Yet, simultaneously, there is so much more to me than the horrors I am capable of. I’m reminded of Solzhenitsyn’s writings, “The line separating good and evil passes not through states, nor between classes, nor between political parties either -- but right through every human heart.” Maybe this confirms your suspicions. Evil is capable in all of us. That we are doomed for perpetual darkness. However, for me, when I read this and contemplate it’s reliability of a realistic description, I am filled with a profound hope - a humble optimism. For in my own life I had a front row perspective and often seemingly hand tied observation of the evils in my mind and undertaking. I know what I am capable of. I’ve also seen myself grow. I’ve seen life hit me, and with effort paired with experience, I’ve seen myself respond in grace and live in love. I’ve had a Teacher show me the power of turning the other cheek. I’m hopeful in the world for the same reasons I am hopeful in myself. That no matter the depths I’ve seen and receded into, I have the innate ability to reach up by the grace of God and pull myself out into glorious light. There are real horrors prevalent today. My hopeful and humble optimism wants to see these horrors not as abstractions, but as people - for I believe when we make these things human, we grant them the gift of opportunity to hope, and through the power of love, the line between good and evil to inch defiantly into the light.
