when Satan tempts me to despair

I led an extremely blessed childhood, sheltered from the pain that a lot of people are forced to grow up in and amongst. My days were spent watching The Chipmunk Adventure and walking to Texaco for Nerds and ballet classes and Court Players and plenty else. Even into high school, where I was confronted with loneliness and the superiority of the wealthy, I continued to live a good life.

It wasn't until this last summer when the idea of suffering began to take root in my heart. When the brokenness became more apparent, and before the idea of Hell on earth was more tangible. And I came home forever different.

And into this semester the idea of Hell, the battle that goes on in this world between good and evil, it rages on. And tomorrow is another day.

Today the question was posed: what do you hate? What about the world, about the Hell that ravages the people and places around you, drives you to anger? Figure it out, and do something about it.

In the beginning was the Word,

and the Word was with God,

and the Word was God.

He was in the beginning with God.

All things were made through him,

and without him was not any thing made that was made.

In him was life,

and the life was the light of men.

The light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness has not overcome it.

(John 1:1-5)

For the creation was subjected to futility,

not willingly, but because of him who subjected it,

in hope that the creation itself will be set free

from its bondage to corruption

and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together...

And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit,

groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons,

the redemption of our bodies.

For in this hope we were saved.

Now hope that is seen is not hope.

For who hopes for what he sees?

But if we hope for what we do not see,

we wait for it with patience.

(Romans 8:20-25)

It's a broken, fragile, screwed up world. But it is not overcome, and we are not hopeless.