All I Do Is Win

There has been a lot of talk lately about winning and the costs of winning. It is apparent from any news source that the battles lines have been clearly drawn and politics is no longer (was it ever?) about doing good or right. It is about winning. Winning at any cost and at all costs.

I have to admit I find it hard to watch the news since I've become a mother and even more so lately, as a mother of girls. What do I tell them about society? How do I convince them (myself?) that there is good? Better question, is there good? How do I explain the proclamation of victory made by people who have hurt others, whose "win" has cost someone their dignity, their rights, their safety? How can I insure that same price is never paid at the expense of my daughters?

I have to remind myself that the real battle has already been won, though it has not been completed. Though it is not near, we know the end. It is done. Jesus was and is victorious and he will come again to claim that victory. He will take what is rightfully his - the spoils of war - for which he paid with his blood. And though we are not worthy, we paid for each of us with his blood and we are priceless to him. Victory has already been proclaimed and it was first in a still, small voice; later in a cry of agony; and will eventually be in all of our united Hosannas. The battle may still rage, but the victor has been declared. Nothing that any worldly (or other-worldly) power can do will change the outcome. We are a living out a story whose ending is known. We can take any number of paths towards that end, but the end is the same.

Obviously, this does not alleviate my distress over any number of current events or my concern for my children's safety and well-being. The battle being won does not mean it does not still have to be fought. Every day. Light shining in the darkness. Prayers ascending. Love emanating through us into action and kindness. In this world that seems at times overcome by darkness, I pray that I may remind my girls, both in words and actions, to always let their lights shine. And like the parable teaches, we must keep our lanterns filled, because the only thing we can count on in this life is that Christ WILL come again. There is no greater hope that this.