Scripture says righteousness is a defense. I recall one of my trips, after checking in, just prior to boarding, a young man in hood and chains all around his body was escorted into the same flight by security agents. From the whole arrangement, it was so obvious his case was not child’s play and it left me extremely uncomfortable. After boarding, I couldn’t help turning again and again to look at this young man who was trying to look normal even though surrounded by another set of agents inflight. I don’t think he got a chance to taste anything or to use the restroom throughout the long flight because he was most likely chained to the seat. My heart was indescribably heavy.

How could you treat a human being like an animal? He was so emaciated that it was obvious his troubles are not recent. I couldn’t help praying, for him, for friends and families, and for God’s children – that God will help us all appreciate the liberty that righteousness freely affords us all. It is often said that people rarely appreciate what they have until they lose it. My prayer is that none of us would have to lose God’s gifts and blessings in order to appreciate them in retrospect because it is not a good one.

While at immigrations, I saw them lead him out, straight into the homeland security office and the memory came flooding back. Days later, I learned he was a terrorist, in the same flight he attempted to bomb years back and I did not know what to think again. He was due for sentencing. While the government was pushing for the maximum of life, his attorney was claiming that he should get reprieve since it was only an attempt that killed nobody. A similar attempt cost thousands of lives and resources with unforgettable memories during the 9-11 incident.

That attempt would have cost 289 lives on the spot and so much more. That very attempt brought irreversible changes that are costing governments and travelers all around the world till date. That attempt is still wasting lives globally in horrendous manners that you can’t but cringe at man’s inhumanity to fellow man. Yes, that one failed, but what if it had succeeded like so many others before and after it? It is not just that he got life, even at the time of his sentencing, he still did not think he had done anything wrong.

My heart goes out to people who have lost, are losing, and will lose loved ones to the same attempts. It is unfair but that is the world we live in. The devil may counsel you to go to hell but when you get there, you will discover that you are on your own – personally paying for the consequences of your decision. I don’t know what the fate of that young man will eventually turn to on this planet but I do know that you and I can make a difference if we seek early, and stick with the ways of our Father – it sure keeps one away from hell – you don’t want to go there on earth, how much more on the other side.

I sincerely didn’t mean to spoil your week but in the midst of life’s fun, some sober moments to reflect on what life without God can be, will help boost our gratitude no matter what we are experiencing at the time – it could have been worse without the help of God. It could have been worst. May Abba preserve us from the way that seems right to human perception which only leads to destruction. May He also hide us from evil and from the evil one, amen.

Glory!