meditatio at the water's edge

I watched a PBS bit on the Pope last night, and I can't help but wonder why so many protestants think the Roman Catholic Church is evil. Here is a guy who is able to stand up even to his own people (especially American Catholics) and say, "You know, you Americans are doing some pretty evil things." I think the Pope is an amazing person, and I think it is the height of arrogance to suggest that the Pope is antichrist. (If you haven't ever heard that, there are many protestants who firmly believe it). Do I agree with the Pope on particular matters of doctrine? No. But that does not make John Paul II the devil. Perhaps it makes me the devil. I hope for a day when American Christians will all find the humility of Christ within their hearts. Until then, I will intend for it to be a reality in my heart.

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In C.S.Lewis' Screwtape Letters (an imaginary correspondence between Screwtape, a senior devil and his apprentice nephew Wormwood), we find Screwtape giving his nephew this advice, "Do not be deceived, Wormwood. Our cause [the Devil's cause] is never more in danger than when a human,, no longer desiring, but still intending, to do our Enemy's will [God's will], looks round upon a universe from which every trace of Him seems to have vanished, and asks why he has been forsaken, and still obeys."

In the face of all the dramatic impressions of spiritual warfare, there is perhaps no greater weapon against evil than simple obedience to God's direction, even when we might desire to follow another path. Let's live in God's story today. Let's be the cooperative friends of Jesus. Let's watch God change the world beginning with ourselves.