Playing Pranks …Waging War

TP-ing, it’s one of the favorite ‘harmless’ pranks of teenagers (and even some adults.) It is the act of throwing rolls of toilet paper into trees, bushes and yards. It can be done as a friendly prank or it can be done as an act of revenge. One can even find wiki-how instructions on how to properly TP someone.

The relatively inexpensive investment (a pack of toilet paper) makes it well within the budget of any young prankster trying to relieve their boredom. Personally, I never understood why anyone considered this to be a fun time but many did when I was in school and evidently it is still popular today.

I just shook my head as I gazed at the multitude of white streamers in my front yard while I took my little dog out at 5:30 a.m. If there had been a party, the decorations would have been quite festive.

Some parents may laugh if they arise to discover their house has been targeted the previous night. Others may consider the cleanup involved and become angry at the mischief. My son was the target and my son would be the one to take down these ‘decorations.’ Though it didn’t make me angry, it was still a bit annoying nonetheless.
Before the landscape returned to normal, my mind took me to a place I was not expecting. The Lord impressed on my heart how blessed we are to live in small-town America where our kids only have to worry about cleaning up the debris from toilet paper rolls. Unlike those who must worry about finding shelter from the incoming bombs in Israel, Palestine, and other war-torn countries.

It is quite sobering to consider the fear and uncertainty that these young people must feel. What a shame it is that the ‘adults’ who are ‘leading’ them cannot resolve their conflicts with civility. Because some choose to do evil, others must face the evil and deal with it accordingly.

Luke 21: 8-10    8 He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’[a] and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. 9 And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” 10 Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.    

God created us to love Him. But to love we must have free will. Because we are a sinful people, we choose to rebel against God. Sometimes our sin is personal and no one knows about it. It only breaks the heart of our Heavenly Father. Many times, however, our sins bring harm to others.

So often people ask, “If there is a god, and he is good, why would’t he end wars and poverty?” If this issue is a stumbling block to you taking the step of faith, you can find honest answers to your questions on BibleAbout.com.