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When what you your fear comes as a holocaust, Great is the power of mercy for those who seek it; to those who seek it while it yet may be found. Great is the harm that can befall one who chooses to live life foolishly and wantonly avoids any caution. One cannot drive a car out of control, head towards a brick wall and moments before a terrible crash regret one’s behavior and then expect the results to change. Heaven does not extricate one from the quicksand one has chosen to jump in, especially when one has denied all attempts of rescue until one is up to one’s neck. The old saying rings true, in accordance to the efforts, so are the rewards. Heaven extends to us numerous opportunities to change our ways and to repair the damage we have caused throughout our lives to others and to ourselves. When one takes heed, indeed one can save oneself from impending future doom. However, those who refuse warnings and adamantly pursue reckless behavior should not be surprised by the terrible harm and suffering that befalls them due to their chosen and embraced foolish choices. Life is really this simple; live wisely and you will live best; live foolishly and you will face the consequences of your stupid choices. Although there are opportunities for change, there is no avenue of escape. Once the consequences of one’s behavior start to unfold, you cannot stop them. Like an avalanche in progress, the only thing you can do is get out of the way. Those with wisdom know how to do this, whereas the fool looks upon the crashing snowfall with paralysis and confusion. It is always too late for the fool, yet it is never too late to learn wisdom. We all want to think that opportunities for change are always there. By believing this we subtly convince ourselves that when we can no longer follow a foolish course in life because of the negative circumstances we have created, we can always modify our course (the less the better) into a new comfortable situation where one can still continue one’s wanton ways but without the negative consequences being caused by them. Create havoc because it is fun, step out of the way of the negative consequences caused thereby, and keep steeping when necessary; this is the mentality behind those who do not wish to change. Unfortunately, one cannot keep stepping out of the way, for one of the inevitable steps will lead one to fall right off the edge of a high cliff, with nothing but doom and disaster waiting at the bottom. The wise warn the foolish of the consequences they face. Yet, the fool chooses to pay no heed. Eventually, it will be too late; too late to listen to the wise, and too late for anyone, be it the wise, or even Heaven, to intervene as save one from the terrible consequences of one’s own choices. This inevitability is not a punishment. It is merely the natural outcome of those who choose to live life foolishly. Heaven has no desire and takes no joy in seeing the foolish suffer and perish. On the contrary Heaven has no greater joy than to see a fool become wise. Nevertheless, Heaven cannot allow a fool to go unpunished. Therefore, rather than punish the fool itself, Heaven allows the fool to punish himself, simply by facing the consequences of the fool’s chosen behaviors. Learning from experience is the greatest teacher. Unfortunately, sometimes the lessons of life experience can be rather harsh.
Comments? Questions?
Yeshivat Lev Torah -
Collel Benei N'vi'im |
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