by Anna Fleisch, St Mark’s Church, Utley

Why is there evil in this world? This question has bothered people throughout the ages.

The paradox of a good God and a bad world is deeply troubling, and if you expect me to solve it in the next 250 odd words, you will be disappointed. Christians have tried to explain this with the story of Adam, Eve and the apple, right at the beginning of the Bible. Theologians have called their failure to obey God “original sin”.

Whatever you think about this story, or the concept, or the Bible, I think it is trying to say that we all have the capacity to do good, or bad. So we all have a choice.

And it is very, very important to make this choice. How will we know the right path? Religious people believe that we need the help of God. We ask Him in prayer, which is just a simple way of talking to someone who listens, and understands, and loves you. Prayer helps us to concentrate on what is important, on what could be the choice for good.

Then the answer from God becomes clear in your mind, especially when you also look at the Bible and stories like Adam and Eve, and their selfishness.

We may not be able to solve the big riddle of Evil, but what often makes people’s lives a misery can be quite small things – litter, anti-social behaviour, the drip. drip, drip of criticism, being judgemental, not showing enough love. And to do these things or not is a matter of choice.

We are very fortunate to live in a land without war or famine. Small things make up the big picture. So it is the responsibility of all of us to choose good, and to make God’s world right here in Keighley.