So Ahasuerus, Esther’s husband, the king of Persia, issues the decree. On the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the Persians will kill every Jew in the Empire.

How long until you swallow up the powers of death—the powers that walked into that club in Colorado Springs and the powers that seem to rule this world—forever How long, O Lord? How long?

Do the smart thing, and lay down your arms, and surrender. Then you can sit under your own vine and fig tree, until we take you away to somewhere else. Until we destroy you.

Sometimes things are big and complicated and overwhelming. And sometimes things are gracefully simple.