For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you. The boastful will not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down towards your holy temple in awe of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. (Psalm 6:4-8)

Francis S. Collins, a distinguished geneticist, has written The Language of God. This one-time atheist explains how he arrived at faith through reason. I have not yet read the book.

A review in the Washington Post's Book World is complimentary. But the reviewer does complain, "Why God permits the suffering of innocents is a puzzle Collins does not pretend to solve, although he speculates, following C.S. Lewis, that we may need to suffer in order to learn." (The complete review is available here.)

The innocent suffer because the children of God fail in our responsibilty. God has given us freedom to choose. God has given us the power to create. God will actively support our creative choosing. But we often fail even to make a choice. We neglect the needs of the innocent. We are distracted and leave the choosing to those with evil purpose.

God is ready to right the wrongs of the world. God is ready to destroy the sources of evil. God is ready to intervene: using you and me as agents of love and justice. But it is our choice.

Dear God I bring before you the decisions of this day. Please make clear to me your way. Please give me the wisdom, courage, humility, and love to make choices that allow me and others to advance on your way. Make your way straight before me.

Above is Circle Limit III by M.C. Escher. This is a study in hyperbolic geometry where each fish is following a straight line.