WEDNESDAY'S WORD - CONSEQUENCES - SADELL BRADLEY - 10/18/2023

 

WEDNESDAY'S WORD CONSEQUENCES 10/18/2023 "Sometimes when I consider what tremendous consequences come from little things, I am tempted to think there are no little things." — Bruce Barton, American Writer TONIGHT 7 PM BIBLE STUDY ACTING UP: A STREET CALLED STRAIGHT @warehouseOTR  Facebook, Youtube For eleven days, we've watched the war in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. The news has been filled with images that have left us aghast, saddened, and horrified—particularly at the loss, injury, and capture of civilians—60% of whom, according to CNN, are women and children. This is not a post about politics or even religion. I considered writing about the military term 'collateral damage'— any death, injury, or other damage inflicted that is an incidental result of an activity. The people caught in the crossfire, evacuating their homes and jobs, and being held hostage are collateral damage. So are members of the military who've been called for duty, and everyone's loved ones around the world. The students engaging in conflict with one another on college campuses across the US, and politicians everywhere attempting to find a diplomatic solution that prevents the ignition of a global conflict—are all wrestling with the aftermath of other's choices. Consider the news correspondents, whose job it is to go into war-plagued cities so we can get a glimpse of the atrocities being committed. In a certain way, we are all being held captive hoping the war will end. I wonder if the people who make decisions in rooms unaffected by missiles and guns take into account the consequences for those in the heat of the battle. Movies and video games that simulate militaristic campaigns look real, but no one is truly injured. Folks are playing games with people's lives and the consequences are dire. CONSEQUENCES are not the actions but their results or effects. We've all heard of the domino effect or chain reactions. To "bear the consequences" means to accept responsibility for the negative results of one's actions. "Wisdom consists of the anticipation of consequences." —Norman Cousins Paul's instruction to his protege Timothy is timely, relevant, and crucial, "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:1-4) This is definitely a time for prayer. We can, even thousands of miles away, engage in at least one action whose consequences are positive.