Nothing Surprises Me Much These Days

When I arrived at work on Monday afternoon, a co-worker informed me of the bombings that had taken place in Boston a few hours prior. She and others were huddled around their monitors watching the latest news breaks on the story.

While I am always saddened to hear of another incidence of violence perpetrated against the public, I am not terribly shocked by these occurences, anymore. And, its not because I no longer care or find these things to be reprehensible, its rather that unlike ancient philosophers, I don't believe in the concept of tabula rasa ( the purity of man at birth) nor do I believe that mankind is innately "good". Both of those philosophies fly in the face of the Word of God which plainly states that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Wrong-doing is the default setting of mankind apart from relationship with God.

The other reason that I am not easily shocked by these news stories is that, while incidents such as a bombing or a school shooting gain news coverage, widespread outcry, and the support of citizens nationwide, the disregard and destruction of life is part of the fabric our our daily culture. In courtrooms, boardrooms, and meetings across the country decisions are made on a daily basis (usually because profit is involved) that destroy individual's health and well-being. These stories seldom make the news, but the impact of those explosive decisions is equally devastating for those hit by the shrapnel.

Why?

the answer is simple:
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" Ephesians 6:12-13

Apart from God, we are useless in this battle.