Musings

Believe it of not, there’s a hole in this tree. It is the strangest thing that I have ever seen in my life. Right there next to the trunk, two limbs have merged. The branch that they created seems to be strong and healthy. While other limbs that are single in their growth have begun to deteriorate and break, these two merged members of the tree seem to be flourishing. All of that exists on the same tree.

I encourage you to think with me about how our world is splintered, fractured, segmented, dissociated, and unfriendly. There is an attitude of tolerance by some toward others, while animosity and antagonism is demonstrated in the attitude and actions of others. Militant, terroristic groups are forming alliances everyday, and they are plotting and scheming to disrupt any kind of peace that may be forming in the world. It’s not enough for them to fight among themselves and leave other out of the fray. No, they have to recruit others and foment rebellions, coups, and wars that take an undeserved toll on the innocent. There is a proverb that says, “When elephants fight, the grass gets trampled.”

Even those who claim to be working for the common good can’t seem to agree what form that good should take and who should be the beneficiaries of the bounty. A house divided against itself cannot stand. There was an article in the New York Times newspaper that said that the city of St. Louis has told a homeless shelter that normally helps up to 300 people a night that they have to curb their assistance to 32 clients by May. The drive to shut down the ministry was led by someone who has the riches of the world at their disposal. Instead of trying to create an alliance of assistance, they want to get rid of the little hope that some of the persons who frequent the shelter have. Not all of the clients of the shelter are drug users, mentally challenged, brawlers, lazy and not wanting to work, or leaches on society. Why not form a coalition of businesses that will give jobs to the poor and needy or a conglomerate of realtors that will help them secure homes for themselves. There are some who need to learn how to take care of themselves. Why not offer some assistance in that area and seek to meet the needs of the needy.

It would be better for those who wish to engage in battle against good in our world to find an island somewhere and take each other out. If that occurred, maybe the rest of the world could come together under a banner of peace and make our world a better place to live. Together, we can make it.