The Hydra of Evil

In Greek mythology, the Hydra was a many-headed monster which, for every head cut off, two more sprung up from the stump. While we have all by now learned of the US victory over Osama Bin Laden and continue to celebrate his long-awaited demise, let us not grow too merry with rejoicing at the expense of our vigilance on the war on terror. You can be sure that replacements are already underway or in command of his derelict desert posse; but keep in mind that this in no way signifies the end of injustice in the world. In truth, it will increase it. The war on terror is not over nor has the trump sounded for world peace to be ushered in by the mere slaying of one of the hydra's heads. One head lost does not defeat the beast. This is because everything in life leaves its mark, sometimes for good and sometimes for bad. Bin Laden was no exception. His death has already produced a new generation of suicidal followers. When one falls, five hearts are set afire with vengeance for this is the way of things. Only the naive think there is but one terrorist head and that after his removal we can put the safety back on our guns. If only evil were that simple in its operation. But like a scatterplot diagram, evil is everywhere, some cells still dormant while others lay awake. With that said, allow me to express my feelings of restrain by this most recent development in two specific ways:

1-FDR once made the statement that, "In politics, nothing happens by accident. If it happens, you can bet it was planned that way." When Obama's poll numbers are at an all-time low and the US economy is in ruins with a looming debt ceiling increase pending approval, is it not interesting for such a story to occur now? The mind is such an easy thing to distract and manipulate insofar as you can heighten emotions and sing the siren song of peace, hope, and change; for pliable becomes the mind of a man in constant celebration. This was why the Roman Coliseum proved so effectual - it was desensitizing. Meanwhile, the landscape architects were busily usurping control over the empire in planning its demise unbeknownst to the carousing masses.

2-Evil never rests. The devil does not sleep nor take vacations. How comedic it is that the Taliban has now made an official declaration for the opening of its spring offensive against the infidels. What!? As if mass murder had a time and season for best produce like Florida oranges. Ridiculous. Thomas Jefferson once said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance." Indeed it is. Bin Laden is dead. Hooray! Now what? We must persist in our offensive against evil until justice is served and the Lord our God declares the work is done. We must engage the world with both eyes open and watch the news in the same way. We need to think and scrutinize the things we hear and then afterwards repeat to ourselves the wise phrase: "Si Tibi Vera Videtur, Dede Manus; aut, si falsum est, accingere contra," or, "If the reasoning seems to you true, give in; or, if it is false, gird yourself against it." Remember that politicians are politicians first and are vigilant only in their search for opportunities to elevate themselves, both in crises and celebrations such as the one we now share; sadly though, their main interests are self-interests at best, if not really for their own self-preservation altogether.

Osama Bin Laden left this world in a barrage of bullets. How glorious. I would love to shake the hand of the soldier who shot a devil. And at this time in our nation's history, when patriotism appears to be once again on the rise (at least for the next few days while the smell of discharged lead still lingers in the air and politicians don their flag lapel pins) may we forever remember the cost for freedom and our responsibility as Americans to be prepared at all times and in all things beginning in our homes with our families. Let us follow the "24-hour rule" in such matters: In victory, rejoice in your accomplishments until the following day. In loss, grieve only until the rising of the sun. Truly, we are not just saved by military might or even by the power of our collective will; for we, as Gary North exclaimed in his book Conspiracy: A Biblical View, "...are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, because He was God's substitute sacrifice for sinful men. Christ's victory over Satan and sin is in principle our personal and corporate victory over Satan and sin, in every area of life, including politics."

May we view this news as a good thing and remember its cost; raising our swords heavenward so they may be seared to cauterize the hydra's now open wound and seal it closed.

Long live the fighters