Repairers of the Breach

The breach in the wall started as a deterioration of some mortar, a slight hole at first. To the unsuspecting there seemed no reason for repair, but to the master builder, the crumbling rock warned of problems to come. When the hole grew larger some of the people started to notice. Some said, now is the time for repairs. But most just walked by, ignoring the light damage in progress.

As years past the hole increased. Soon, people began crawling through the hole to the other side, never to return. Those on the inside of the wall tried to talk travelers from crawling through but the temptation was too great.

One day, a man they called the prophet, began to quote words the ancestors had written long ago. Words of warning that were written in the great book that used to be used as a guide by all the people.

The words talked of removing the yoke from their midst. They warned of pointing fingers and speaking wickedness and of following tradition rather than the one who had lead their forefathers to this great land. Few listened to the wisdom of the one crying in the streets. Instead of following, they began undermining and discrediting the words that poured from his soul.

The systems in place, and those who followed them, rather than following the one who wrote the great book, had the most to lose. Programs, politics and position brought comfort, consistency and control. Without these things, those who thought they were in charge predicted disaster.

But one day, the eyes of the people started to open. They saw the hole for what it was, a drain sucking the life out of people. The words of the prophet began taking hold. They heard him say “You shall raise up the foundations of many generations: and you shall be called the repairers of the breach, the restorer of streets to dwell in.”

And here we sit in 2009 with a gaping hole in the wall. But who will listen? Who will stop blaming, pointing fingers and taking the focus off the real problem? Until we are willing to give up, the hole will continue to grow. Until we are willing to stop pointing fingers and as the prophet Isaiah said,“extend our soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul” nothing will change. We will remain in darkness waiting for political and religious systems to save us.