Mother's Group Reflection #48: What Are the Limits of Evil?

After 2 great years of writing for a local women's ministry, this is my last weekly reflection for them. It has been such a joy to write for this special group of ladies and I thank those of you who were a part of it. We've decided to disband at this time due to an unexpected series of unforeseen circumstances and events. It has been such a blessing to my life to be a part of this ministry and I thank those of you who supported me with your encouragement and feedback as I gained confidence as a writer. I look forward to what God will do in my life next in this regard as I turn my attention back to my blog and maybe one day a book.


I was reminded of a very powerful truth of our faith today as I was flipping through my prayer journal...

There is a limit to evil and to what God will allow.

I will admit there was a time when I did not think this was so. I had it backward in my mind. I actually believed that God was more limited than He is because I was so overcome with discouragement in the face of evil, that I could not see this simple truth.

I find fascinating right now the Last Supper account in the gospel of St. John, as Jesus was preparing the apostles for His upcoming crucifixion. He called them His friends and told them what was coming, so that they would have peace in the midst of what was about to unfold. Yet, there is something else that I find strangely compelling in these verses at present. In John 16, Jesus said, "Do you now believe? The hour is coming, indeed it has come, when you will be scattered, each one to his home, and you will leave me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have said this to you, so that in me you may have peace. In the world you face persecution. But take courage; I have conquered the world!" (John 16:29-33 NRSVCE) The line that held my attention is the line about all being scattered to their own homes in the face of the fearful sight that was about to unfold. And that they left Him alone. I think of Jesus in the tabernacle right now, too.

At present, we are beginning to very slowly return to public life, but the world is still a complete mess. It can easily feel like evil has had the last word. It is easy to feel like those apostles must have felt on that first Holy Saturday, as they returned to their former separate lives, wondering what on earth just happened. They were like sheep scattered, sheep without a shepherd. Or so it seemed...

But as we see in 2 Peter 3:9 NRSVCE, "The Lord is not slow about his promise, as some think of slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting any to perish, but all to come to repentance." Jesus tells us that life will not be easy, that we will even be hated by the world, but to not fear because He has overcome the world. As we look around at our world right now, at all that is going on...sickness, fighting, long term relationships pushed to the brink, joblessness, persecution in some places, discrimination in others, deep animosities and division, suicide, increased alcoholism, pornography and human trafficking, the list goes on and on...it can feel like evil has had the last word. God has given us free will, but I am reminded this week that He has not given up His throne. And He never will. His throne, His dominion will last forever, come what may, but there will be a definite and definitive end to evil.

During the Last Supper, Jesus told us what to expect ahead of time, and He even told us the way to where He is going, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" (John 14:6 NRSVCE). He has left us all that we truly need on this earth by giving us Himself always.

I don't know what God has in mind for us, but I do see that He is purifying His Church right now in many ways, refining us as gold. And we are given a very clear choice right now in the midst of whatever battles we may face, seen or unseen.

Will we submit to that purification, whatever it may involve, and trust that He will have the victory in the end? That He is still in control and will come to our aid and that He loves us to the very end? Will we stand by Him in this desperate time or will we run away as did the apostles? Will we refuse to be silenced in the face of opposition as we take His love and message out into the world? I invite you to take these thoughts to prayer in the weeks to come and to meditate on His goodness and love, and to remember as you gather to worship this coming Pentecost Sunday, in whatever manner that may be, the very great difference and courage of the apostles in the wake of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. I invite you to stand in that courage and bold faith in the weeks to come, whatever life may bring. And I personally pray that God will pour out His grace anew on His church in these trying times.

I once received a cute card from my confessor/spiritual director, years ago, as we were parting ways, and it said one simple thing on the front that I will never forget...

"I have read the last page of the Bible. It is all going to turn out all right." - Billy Graham

Verse for the week:
"Do not fear, for I am with you,
do not be afraid, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you,
I will uphold you with my victorious right hand."
-- Isaiah 41:10 NRSVCE



Photo Credit: Henk Mohabier, StockSnap.io