David said to [Goliath], “You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied."
(1 Samuel 17:45)
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)
The longest night of the year was just under a week ago. Another Christmas has come and gone. And the promise of a new year lies just ahead.
Today I cling fast to hope, because I cannot help but feel a bit disillusioned. And, well...angry.
If you've seen National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation, you may recall the scene where Clark Griswold receives a Jelly of the Month Club membership in lieu of his annual Christmas bonus. Naturally, he launches into a tirade of epic (and, shall we say, colorful) proportions against his boss.
We laugh because who among us hasn't felt dehumanized by those in power? Who hasn't wanted to wake certain folks from their "happy holiday slumber over there on Melody Lane with all the other rich people" and demand that they treat others with respect?
Residents didn't prepare sufficiently for the winter because were promised a year of free housing by Lakewood Township almost a year ago, and figured they would not be spending another winter outdoors. But Lakewood's promise never came to fruition, and winter has already begun. Chef Jeff has organized a gathering of volunteers tomorrow to assist with wood splitting, and I'm looking quite forward to it. Because while we fight for those who have no voice, we also need to draw on one another for strength in the face of frustration.
I for one am deeply frustrated - by the Township's lip service and band-aid solutions, by the Scrooge-like mentality of people in power, by the HUD official(s) who decided that Minister Steve's rights were not violated by the Township of Lakewood.
And in the face of paramount indifference and injustice, it is indeed a challenge to rely on faith. I'm thankful for people who serve as a reminder that we do not have to face that challenge alone.
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