Evil and the Bad Lands

The Painted Desert, Arizona, USA

On Sunday, I’m addressing the topic of Evil in the Route 66 series.

The desert in Northern Arizona is known as the Painted Desert. Layers of rock stratum beautifully redeem the barren region in swaths of colors. Travelers on Route 66, the Mother Road, look forward to this place as they trek. The famous petrified forrest is another highlight on the trail. The photos look amazing.

Have you ever been to this region of the American West? I haven’t, but I hope to soon.

This bad land spells trouble if you aren’t prepared, yet the harsh area should not come as a surprise. The parallel I draw, in a spiritual sense, is that Evil usually surprises us with its force or sway. Rather than expect it, and live a life that encounters it for the opportunity to redeem it in practical ways, we are often stunned, and then react unproductively by blaming or retorting with dangerous and haphazard all-or-nothing solutions. Sudden kinetic military actions, or ratifying knee-jerk (and effectively impotent) new rules, are two examples that come to mind. Plenty of community and individual reactions apply as well.

What are some others that come to mind?

What “Bad Lands” have you painted? (Where have you encountered redemption during times of suffering or through trails?)

Work with God to paint your desert!


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Spark My Muse

Lisa Colón DeLay writes often on matters of the attending to the inner life, creating a beloved community, spiritual formation, and consciousness. She is also a designer, teacher, speaker, and host of the weekly broadcast Spark My Muse since 2015. Lisa is Latina (born in Puerto Rico) and holds an MA in Spiritual Formation and is the author of "The Wild Land Within" (Broadleaf Books) and other books.

4 thoughts on “Evil and the Bad Lands”

  1. The “how to prepare” part is tough, and I’m glad you brought it up. We can’t necessarily expect what will happen, but I think you’re right in saying that we should prepare. Perspective has something to do with it, but here is where our spiritual disciplines and prayer practices “prepare” us for the things life throws at us. When I respond poorly, it’s not so much a failure in the moment. It’s a failure that began earlier in the day.

  3. Our failure to prepare probably won’t destroy the Church as a whole… but it can trip up, even destroy, individual brothers and sisters. I think this week God is showing me to be “mindful,” and slow to speak.

    Which is not the same as being afraid to speak.

  4. I’ve driven through that part of the country and it is quite a stark contrast to the absolute desolation around. Lisa if you haven’t gone out west then please let me plan a trip for you! I spent a few months in that general region and there are many treasures!

    great analogy – I love that our God transforms lifeless places rather than just condemn them for their desolation.

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