There are times when the ugliness of the world, the cruelty of people, the violence pervading society seems too much. It’s enough to make you want to crawl into a cave and become a hermit. (Which actually has been the responce of many Christians over the ages!) On the other hand we have the promise of God: The days are coming, says the LORD, when I will fulfill the promise. We can be sure that all will be well in the plan of God. However, as an old spiritual puts it: “Lord, help me to hold out until my change comes.” How do we hold out in an ugly world. St. Paul tells us to concentrate on what we can do right today to make this world a little more loving and trust that these individual acts of kindness and compassion will, in time, produce our longed for change. May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we have for you, so as to strengthen your hearts.
