From today’s reading...
First of all, I ask that supplications, prayers,
petitions, and thanksgivings be offered for everyone,
for kings and for all in authority,
that we may lead a quiet and tranquil life
in all devotion and dignity.”
What you put out into the world multiplies and comes back to you.
Call it karma. Call it the butterfly effect or the first law of thermodynamics.
Call it the will of God.
Regardless the name you give it, you can't run around spewing hate all day and night and expect to be successful and fulfilled.
You can be opposed to the policies of the President or Governor or Mayor or Sheriff or Dog Catcher, but if you hate them with all your might and you live solely to see them get hit by a train and die in a ditch then rot in Hell...let's just say you're doing it wrong.
Our elected officials need our prayers, especially those with whom we disagree, because
- Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely, and
- You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Not only is this God's will and common sense, but it's also Michael Corleone's advice:
Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”
I know what you're thinking.
But Wes, Michael Corleone is a cold blooded killer. Paul is a saint. A man of God. How can they have ANYTHING in common? Have you lost your mind?"
Believe it or not, the Godfather's advice is inline with Paul's instruction to Timothy.
Military leaders, mob bosses, and even gang leaders have a lot in common with Paul in that they really don't want to spill blood. They just want the enemy to concede so they can lead a quiet and tranquil life.
Granted, mob bosses and gang leaders want peace and quiet so they can get rich committing crimes, but they typically hurt and kill people only to dissuade others from formulating a larger attack that leads to more killing.
All great leaders understand the instructions of the Roman general Vegetius in his book Epitoma Rei Militaris,
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum."
"If you want peace, prepare for war."
Paul knows we're in the ultimate war. It's called the war between good and evil. And the best and only way to prepare for that war is to...
Stay the course.
Keep the faith.
Endure.
