If “not one stone will be left upon another,” why build? This question may stand just below those about the existence of suffering and evil in God’s “very good” creation (Genesis 2:3). The threshold of how much inner discomfort each of us can bear varies, yet we all have a maximal limit. Near that limit, we tend to withdraw or take steps to establish enough margin of security; we turn our face away from others. Yet the Good News magnetically draws followers of Jesus toward situations that call for engagement and presence over solutions and programs of improvement. I am mindful of a line from an anonymously attribute Japanese poem, “Lord, when I am disheartened, send someone needing my encouragement,” or the prayer attributed to St. Francis on page 833 of the Book of Common Prayer, “Lord, make us instruments of your peace….” Come what may in the world, in my life, be it fallen temples, empires, or nations, the Christian looks outward with Christ’s eyes and serves with Christ’s hands, speaks with Christ’s mouth, and loves with his heart. These things will not pass away. | 
