Evil in the world

“All interpreters [of Romans] must recognize that the universe is fallen and the power of evil is active, and that we cannot explain its origin in a universe created by a sovereign God; that God has plans and can work to bring them to completion; that he treats people as persons and not as things; that there is such an activity as prayer to which God makes genuine responses; that he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth; and that he certainly works in human lives by the Spirit.”—New Testament Theology, page 334

<idle musing>
All of which is true. Jesus said that in the world we would have tribulation—but that he had overcome the world. As I wind down my time at Eisenbrauns and try to get everything done—an impossible task—I am reminded of that. It is trivial stuff that doesn't matter in the eternal scheme of things—except for the way I respond to it. Do I respond to the setbacks on the web site with anger and frustration? Or, do I respond with thanks to God? "Count it all joy, my brethren..."
</idle musing>