Free Will?

A friend of mine is going through a nasty dispute over a will right now. There's a family member who has caused what should have been a few-weeks process to last nearly a year, and the reward for his efforts is that now he may have found loopholes that will get the whole thing thrown out. He will be rewarded with the largest share of the estate.

Of course it is unjust and feels horribly wrong to my friend. And I am not able to tell her the truth because it is too harsh. So I will write it here.

The rain falls on the righteous and the unrighteous. Bad people do indeed often win, and do indeed get a windfall that should have belonged to the good. Why? Because the good do good, and that often doesn't lead to power in this world.

If he wins, then so be it. It's only money. I know you can let that go. But in regards the injustice, think on this: you have eternal life. You are redeemed. You have an amazing promise of a life that is better and stronger and fuller than he knows.

Is it unfair? Of course. But getting angry doesn't help (something my husband constantly reminds me). The best thing to do is to continue to do right. Because you can trust that God will take care of you. That is better than anything.

And do not fall into the trap of thinking God is testing you to see if you trust Him. That is unfair to God who only has love for you. God hates the situation as well, and God will be there to help you pick up the pieces when it's all over. God says, "Let the evildoer still do evil" (Revelation) but He's got the end of the story for you all written. And it is very, very good.

Final thought from Rev. Barbara Crafton:

Of course you have to plan for the future, as best you can. Of course you have to clean up the messes you made in the past, as best you can. But you can't live in either place. We only live now. If "now" is a place of pain, be present to it and let it be a piercing reminder of that for which you long. Let it burn the extraneous nonsense right out of you, as it certainly will do, leaving only the gold of what is truly important. If "now" is a place of sunshine, be present to it. There will be other moments when you will need the memory of it.