FRIDAY THOUGHTS

Three biblical figures come to mind every time I reluctantly watch the news: 

Jehoshaphat

Gamaliel

and Pharaoh.

One was overwhelmed, but was given uncommon tools with which to deal with a contentious climate, and confound his enemies. He didn’t even have to get his hands dirty.

One implored everyone to just chill, and reminded them how fruitless it is to fight against what has been ordained, or be distressed by what will eventually fail.

One learned that neither he, nor his riches, power, nor authority were invincible. They wouldn’t insulate him from the consequences of his actions or inaction. He got a devastating taste of the suffering he’d caused.

I wonder if it occurs to people who are daily doing the bidding of evil men, that they don't have the protections that the evil men enjoy, and hide behind?

Do they realize that Grace, although amazing, has limits? 

Do they really think they're invincible, above the law, and won't be held accountable?

Do the flunkies and mouthpieces realize that they are sitting-duck-representatives of those who know nothing of loyalty, and should some oppressed, deranged, stressed-out, wounded person finally snap under the pressure, they--not their leader-- will be the substitute target of justifiable frustration and anger?

Do they realize that their words and actions are being documented in real time, and they won't be able to backpedal or spin their way out, when the you-know-what eventually hits the fan?

Do they look in the mirror and see how their habitual lying, mud-wallowing, boot-licking, and ring-kissing is marring and contorting their countenances, shifting their postures, affecting their speech patterns, body language, and their ability to reason? Their very faces are betraying them! It's clear that when they speak, they don't believe a word they're saying!

Do they forget that they, too, have families who are being affected by the decisions they're making?

Do they think that whatever promises, perks, favors, or exemptions they’re being given, will insulate their consciences from replaying and reminding them of the inhumanity and barbarity in which they participate?

Do they think that "I was just doing my job", or “I was just following orders”, or “I didn’t know”, or “I didn’t have a choice” will fly in this century, considering how miserably those words have failed to be a viable excuse for minions to use, in previous centuries?

Do they ever, EVER pick up a History book, or watch a documentary, or talk to some seasoned citizen who can school or warn them of the results of the destructive path they've chosen?

Do they not see how they are tarnishing their own reputations and legacies, by willingly going along with what they know is wrong, and has no defense? (The words of an old song came to mind:

Have I given anything today?

Have I helped some needy soul along the way?

From the dawn, ‘til setting Sun

Have I wounded anyone?

Shall I weep for what I’ve done today?)

Do they not know that the principle of sowing and reaping, is not merely a financial one?

Do they think that people will forget their complicity when their idols are gone, and the nightmare they daily help perpetuate to cause grief for the vulnerable, is over? (People do tend to forget that Goliath had brothers.)

Sometimes, you can't be as mad at, disappointed in, or perplexed by people as you could be, because you just feel too danged sorry and afraid for them. Grown men and women have been hoodwinked into fighting against their own interests, forfeiting their integrity, and harming the very people who depend on them to soberly advocate for them. 

How tied are the hands of so many elected and appointed officials? What incriminating information is being held over their heads? Perhaps they're simply terrified. Maybe they've been threatened, blackmailed, and retaliated against, if they don't comply. Who knows? You hate to think that people are just downright evil. They have the power to make so many things right, better, and to be of service, and demonstrate what competent leadership looks like, but won't--or can't-- use it. They certainly aren't representing or listening to their constituents, who are fired up, in many cases because they never dreamed they too would be affected by some of the decisions that have been made by the very people for whom they voted. 

There's a lot of talking, gaslighting, excuse making, and arguing going on, but no action from principled leaders that will right this ship called America. Bigotry, greed, entitlement, lack of empathy, and hatred, are so baked into her soil, and sown into the hearts and minds of people in every generation, so that it can’t help but continue, grow, and threaten to overrun the land. The lack of humanity is astounding, but hasn’t it always been? So many lament that “This isn’t who we are!”. Sorry, but it IS! It’s always been a nation so wracked with racism, ignorance, and shame, that in its efforts to rewrite, bury, and deny its inhumane past, and preserve the status quo, it doesn’t see how it mars its present and future. The world is watching in disbelief as integrity and truth dissipates in places and spaces where it’s sorely needed.

Maybe, making things right is not for some of our leaders to do. Their hands seem tied. They’re just tweeting their frustrations every day, like regular folk! They can't do anything. They're in self-preservation mode, perhaps thinking about midterms, and it's got to be humiliating and depressing to be tainted every day, and forever associated with such deliberate chaos and dysfunction. 

I don't know who the savior or saviors will be, who will put an end to the bewilderment and hopelessness in the air, but I know who my eyes are on. Clearly, He hasn’t changed. People did ask Him for a king once before, and…well…they surely got one.

Many people, however, are just standing still, and checking out. They're exhausted. It’s 2025, and the same conversations are being had that dominated their young lives in 1965. They've seen evil, bigotry, hatred, and lack of compassion before. They’ve decided that they’re not fighting, marching, picketing, signing petitions, nor putting themselves in harm's way any more. They've stopped preaching, begging, warning, and imploring. They’re just lying low, avoiding certain venues, minding their business, and keeping their opinions to themselves. It all reminds me of so many of my departed elder’s quips:

“Uh uh. Let ‘em go. They’ll find out”

“A hard head makes a soft behind, Baby”.

“Keep on. God ain’t always gonna chide with you”.

“You using way too many words. After while, you get tired of talking”. 

So many are just going to sit back, opt out, pray, rest their nerves, and watch as the enemy of their peace of mind, security, health, and well-being, defeats itself, as it always does and did, in situations that are simply not righteous nor sustainable. There’s a segment of the population that is not stressing. They’ve seen it all before. To them, it’s the same old game, but with different doomed players, and it will end, sooner or later.