8. Good for Good

 This week has been quite interesting, though it has felt like more of a plateau. 

In conversations with members of my family over this week, we discussed why contracts in business are so important. Even if you trust someone, a written agreement or contract will help you avoid being taken advantage of. This is applicable to both people you already trust and people you have not established trust with. If you want to do business with someone, if you do not sign any kind of official contract, you are enabling others to take advantage of you, and you will not be able to get any recourse. 
I also was able to discuss the importance of an education, learning both the advantages of having an education as well as the disadvantages of not having one. And by "an education", I specifically mean a degree, and do not mean intelligence. There's often a bid difference. For my mother, she sacrificed the opportunity of getting a degree for herself so that she could support my father as he sought his degree, and so that she could raise and teach us, her children. Although she herself has faced personal setbacks because of not having a marketable set of skills later in life, she is a staunch advocate for all of us in pursuing an education. Her sacrifice enabled me to be where I am, and I am grateful. I know her sacrifice is not without its reward.

I also have observed something in the world, not exactly related to business, but more to do with the general attitude and culture of society, particularly relevant in the church. So many people are burdened by despair. So many people feel hopeless, and it's understandable, and hard to not feel the same way. Especially for younger people, the teenagers, youth and young adults, who look at the challenges in the world, and the forces working against them, and feeling a profound inability to rise up and conquer it, or even to do anything at all about it, it can appear as though the only option is to give up. The economy makes it incredibly difficult to stay on top of the cost of living. The education system at large promotes ideas that are counter to good values. The dreams of their parents feel lost to them, and an oppressive government has about altogether enslaved them. They don't know who they are, or even what they are. They don't know what the purpose of living and working and striving is. Some want to do something about it. Others have given up on the idea of doing anything about it. Those who do something about it live incredibly difficult lives. The atmosphere feels like whether we stand up and fight for what we believe in, or quietly go about our lives, we're getting crushed. 

The powers that be, those that aim at destroying values, destroying faith, destroying family, destroying identity and wrecking the economy and freedom and the ability to live well in the process, are all so great and widespread that despair seems like the only option. However, while we cannot win against such things on our own, it's important to realize that we are not alone. Only the Lord will be able to overcome and win, and cast down these wicked rulers and establish peace when He comes again. It can only be done by His power. And if by His power, then righteousness and peace will be preserved by those worthy to bear His power, and it will be among those who are preparing themselves to receive Him. 

There is so much opposition in the world, it's easy to give in to despair and hopelessness. But I don't want to give up hope. I still believe that I can do something, and I intend on doing good, standing for what I believe, and pulling for others to stand too, in spite of the world and all the powers of hell. I will add what good I can. And I trust in God and in His promises, that even if I suffer and am persecuted and oppressed, that He is faithful, and will reward good for good.