As we approach the end of 2023, we want to reflect on the state of our Nation, of its people, and in fact, on the state of the world. If we can recall 2019, it was a year of productivity, increasing wealth even outpaced those in the upper crust of our society. Women’s, black’s and Hispanic’s employment had never been higher. The world was essentially at peace, with no major conflicts. Interest rates were low, as was inflation and unemployment. Then came COVID and the unprecedented attacks on our President, of which he endured two impeachments and was cleared of them as the accusations were manufactured out of thin air. False and unproven charges, along with election interference by the wealthy and corporate social media monopolies, as well as from within our own government, accompanied by processes and procedures which allowed for questionable voter outcomes, all combined to subvert the will of the majority. There is no doubt that most citizens within our Nation recognized voter irregularities, but courts were unwilling to even hear the cases backed by thousands of witness’s affidavits. The result was an election defeat for the current President in office, and the installation of a new President who is now under investigation for corruption, not only in past actions, but in current inactions, especially in the failure to protect our Nation’s citizens from the millions of illegal aliens flooding across our Nation’s borders, a dereliction of his duty to protect our Nation and citizens from foreign invasions and influence. The year 2023 has been witness to the destruction of our Nation and people. EVIL has been allowed to run rampant. GOOD has taken a blow on the chin. The Dichotomy of the Season could not be more apparent.
With the passing of Christmas and Hanukkah, we have especially been witnessing the degradation and deformation of the moral core of our once great Nation. We have seen the erection of alters to Satan within the halls of a state’s capitol. We have seen business supporting fringe ideologies, all in the pursuit of increasing wealth, and revealing their hidden agendas. Music in many of our Nation’s malls and major businesses predominately played music not focusing on the “reason for the season”, but instead focusing on snow, reindeer, Santa, and the grinch. Some of our Nation’s most deviant, malevolent, and criminalistic individuals found their “holiday spirit” by carjacking the innocent, shoplifting from businesses, spewing hate on social media outlets, and most sadly, all being allowed to take place by those who claim to be “in charge” yet who fail to take corrective actions. It is often evident that morality, truth, and justice is often set aside to achieve personal ideological aims regardless of the cost. EVIL has been allowed to run rampant. GOOD has taken a blow on the chin. The Dichotomy of the Season could not be more apparent.
In the last three years we have been witness to a world on fire and unrestrained. Spurred on by our Nation’s pathetic retreat from Afghanistan, other nations have taken advantage of our Nation’s weak leadership and have started wars, expanded terrorist activities, increased development of nuclear materials and weapons, perfected missile and space technology, and sadly often with financial, technological, and covert support from many within our Nation’s current leadership. EVIL has been allowed to run rampant. GOOD has taken a blow on the chin. The Dichotomy of the Season could not be more apparent.
As marvelous, hopeful, magnificent and awe-inspiring as this time of year can be, it is also as frightening, depressing, malevolent and as cruel as it can be. As for the GOOD “of the Season”, take a moment or two to be amazed at how wonderfully-complex our physical body is, with its parts smaller than you can see, and its ability to heal itself. Look up to the skies and consider how there is no end to the breadth of the stars and the time and distance from us, a never-ending, infinite space. Consider the “miracle” of birth where the comingling of DNA develops another human who shares some of the physical characteristics of both yet maintains individuality. Contrast all of this with the EVIL “of the Season”, with mankind’s depravity, maliciousness, and arrogance when you hear of or are personally witness to murders, violent attacks, theft, other similar actions, or even words, aimed to harm others. Consider the efforts of the rich and powerful around the world to dominate and subjugate the weak and lowly. The Dichotomy of the Season could not be more apparent.
The intent of our blog this week is not to depress or discourage the reader, but our hope is to bring more clearly into focus the war being waged between GOOD and EVIL. It is often unseen as it resides within the consciousness of the created, yet it is manifested in actions and efforts if we allow “. . . the eyes of [our] heart [to] be enlightened” to recognize it. (Ephesians 1:18.) We want to make it clear to all that GOOD overcomes EVIL. We know this to be true because we have read the end of the book! However, victory over EVIL is a battle the GOOD must engage. There will at times seem to be “ups” and “downs”, but our “eyes” must be focused on the one who has overcome. Jesus speaks to His disciples in John 16:33 saying, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” Notice that Jesus had not yet endured the cross of crucifixion and defeated death when He said this, yet He clearly stated that He HAD already “overcome”. How is this possible? It is because He knew the end of the book! Even though there were trials yet to come, He was at peace knowing He could get through all of it, and knowing the ultimate conclusion allowed Him to press ahead and endure. Like our Lord, we have overcome even though EVIL has been allowed to run rampant, and GOOD “seems” to have taken a blow on the chin. If we endure and “. . . press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14), we can be at peace and overcome. Do not be dismayed at The Dichotomy of the Season. Our FREEDOM and LIBERTY will eventually prevail, not only in 2024, but also in the years that are yet before us.
May your 2024 be filled with boldness, confidence in the outcome . . . . and peace.