Resistance' can be a holy endeavor...or not


 There he was at the front of the protest line wearing his shiny suit of armor ready to do battle for climate change. I knew Resistance would be there; he’s always there when the public is facing an issue that so many people care about.

 Resistance is an interesting guy; sometimes he is exactly what you need and other times he needs to just go away. Resistance is much like the little girl with the curl, when he is good he’s good, but when he’s bad he’s very bad. He may fuel a fire that should really be extinguished, but is just as capable of starting one to save many from the bitter cold. Resistance also has a way of taking root in a person when he has no real reason to be there, these are the times he is unproductive, causing one to spin around like a toy top getting nowhere but causing a lot of unnecessary movement.

 I once went to a rally with him to demonstrate against police brutality. Resistance was pretty mild mannered and shared a lot of good ideas people needed to hear. I was so proud to be there with him making such a great difference in the world. But another time Resistance visited my friend who was determined to buy a house she couldn’t afford and though we all tried to help her realize she was about to make a mistake; Resistance overtook her, and we didn’t stand a chance of helping her. Still yet another time, another acquaintance badly needed to see a doctor and fought the idea valiantly, Resistance was her closest ally.

 I do like Resistance and consider him a good friend of mine, but I am careful to give him the lead only when he can do some real good.  The most precious lesson he has taught me is that often what we resist persists.

  O God as I face the ordinary and extraordinary struggles of life, may I realize the gift of resistance and use it well. Teach me O God when to fight and when to retreat. Amen

 

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