Power Under Control

Last week my good friend CB was checking the progress of his irrigation water as it migrated down the individual furrows. Out of nowhere, a man on a motorcycle suddenly appeared and blocked his view through the passenger window. The biker was yelling and screaming and animated beyond belief. CB rolled the window down and asked the man to calm down and explain to him what was the problem. This interaction only served to set the individual off once again. Unbelievable profanity reinforced his angry tirade. Again CB sought to understand the extreme anger and was told by the biker to “shut his mouth” as he was not going to allow him to speak. Every time he attempted to speak he was told in a threatening manner to be silent.

In the midst of this unmitigated anger and ranting, CB began to surmise that he apparently had pulled his pickup out in front of the motorcyclist. CB did not deny the possibility that this might have occurred but could not get the individual to allow him to talk, let alone get him to listen. Any attempt to discuss, question, explain, or apologize was shut down by the cyclist. There was even a threat in all of this when the biker told CB, “I know where you live.” (Maybe that’s the trouble with rural America… people know where you live.)

Within 24 hours of my discussion with CB regarding his rage incident, I’m on the phone with Dr. Doug (“Dale”) Ford. Dr. Doug is filling me in on a huge tragedy that just struck his home and ranch in the form of a raging tornado. An EF2 tornado with winds upwards of 145 mph hit the small town of Snyder, Colorado, along with neighboring Brush, Colorado. Severe damaging hail, ranging in size from golf ball to baseball size, accompanied this tornado. Imagine the damage when large hail gets the added thrust of 145 mph winds. The damage to Dr. Doug’s place was more than considerable – buildings and their contents severely damaged or destroyed, crops mowed down and pounded into mud, 100 year old trees uprooted, cattle injured, extreme loss of wildlife, etc. It was nothing short of a complete disaster for Dr. Doug and his neighbors.

In the aftermath of the devastation, Jan (Dr. Doug’s wife) received a note on Facebook telling her that she and her husband deserved all of the pain and misery that they received from the tornado and hailstorm. After all, their lifestyle contributed to “global warming” and if that wasn’t bad enough, they are Republicans. (I wonder if Dr. Doug knows where she lives.)

Most of our readers are blessed and privileged to live in rural America where neighbors help neighbors unconditionally. Fortunately, few find themselves being screamed at during dinner out with the spouse, lectured and cursed by a Hollywood celebrity, or physically threatened for what they believe. However, given the seeming progression of our cultural gangrene, the disease is spreading. The vitriol and anger is now beginning to spill over from urban to rural, just ask CB or Dr. Doug.

In consideration of all that we see happening, how should we live and respond to others in a culture that has seemingly gone off the rails? The Bible is no stranger to evil and human conflict and has much to teach us in that respect. Romans 12:17-19, 21 offers some quick and concise guidance: 17Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Repaying evil with evil puts one on the wrong side of right. Each of the above two real life stories found Christians on the receiving end of hatred and anger. Imagine how the ending for each might have changed if they had decided to return the evil directed their way with more of the same or worse.

One of my favorite verses is on the wall in my office, a gift from my daughter. It reads: “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith, be men of courage, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13). I cannot think of a better charge for all of us as we are tested and challenged in the days to come. Doing right, rejecting evil and showing restraint can be interpreted as weakness or meekness. In actuality, it is “power under control”.