When things aren't the way we think they "should" be there are several choices we may make. We can graciously accept it. We can non-graciously accept it. We can ask that it be changed. We can pay to change it. We can use violence to change it.

A few years ago a young man took a gun to school and shot several of his classmates to death. Everyone seemed amazed that something like that could happen in their small town. They couldn't understand it. Have you ever wondered why yourself? Here is the reason: Perfectionism. Satan was the first perfectionist. He has taught his children to be that way also. The young man that killed his fellow students had a demanding attitude. He was a perfectionist. Many of us miss this point.

When people have a rigid demanding point of view they are more righteous than the God who gives people free choice. People don't "have" to do things the way we want them to. Where's the evidence? They don't! The young man that did the killing believed people were treating him unfairly. Heard that one before? He convinced himself that he should not be treated that way (he demanded perfectionism)! Since he "must" be treated fairly, He decided to do something about it. "Because people won't do what I want them do and they absolutely must I will punish them by shooting them." Physical violence is the ultimate statement of a demanding philosophy of life. People that employ it do not understand mercy, kindness and forgiveness! They can not tell themselves no! It's amazing all the people that missed this simple explanation of why the young man did what he did. He simply chose to! In retrospect it was a stupid choice. But at the moment he was thinking in a demanding manner, it was the choice he made. In a fit of pique this young person showed the world how powerful his choice could be.

In our families, nation and media, we are training a demanding group of people, people that think they are victims, people that think their emotions are caused by external forces and circumstances--mostly other peoples words and actions. People think things must absolutely go the way they think they should. They will not tolerate things being any other way than the way think they should be. The Bible calls that way the

"way that seemeth right unto a man, but the ends thereof are the ways of death." (Proverbs 14:12).

President Kennedy once said that we have to get use to living in a world where there are no perfect solutions. Years ago we viewed that as a less than desirable choice. But, that choice represents reality. All 5.9 billion of us cannot have things the way we want them to be. Some of us have got to compromise. That's something that does not go very well with a demanding philosophy of life.

When you are a perfect person you are right! Your way is God's way! Oh, is that scary! I don't know about you but, I would rather have someone that is "imperfect" lead me. People that are perfect scare me to death! They have no concept of the "human dilemma." They can't understand why humans are so "human!" If they don't have a particular problem or weakness, they can't understand why someone else does. They make statements like "ignorance is no excuse" (it's probably the best excuse there is). As Jesus said they search high and low to make one proselyte and turn him into twice the son of hell that they are! (Matthew 23:15)

What is really wrong with the human being is his incredible self-righteousness. What if the young man had listened to saner thoughts than those he entertained. He could have thought: "Oh well, this girl that I like doesn't seem interested in me. Too bad! I can stand it. Maybe if I look further I will find someone that will like me the way I want. If not, it will hardly be a horror. People do not have to do what I want them to do." If he had thought that way rather than the demanding way he did, he would not have had to use a gun to "make" people do what he insisted they must. The young man had a reality problem.

Jesus' disciples had reality problems also. When they asked Jesus about John the Baptist, He answered them as sanely as He could.

"What went you out into the wilderness to see? . . . A man clothed in soft raiment?" (Matthew 11:7-8).

Indeed how should people living in the wilderness act and dress? Jesus was showing His disciples how to be sane. Insanity by definition is denying reality. They expected John to dress and to act differently than he did. They were "self-righteous!"

Ask yourself the same basic question. How should deceived people act? Answer: Exactly as they do! Jesus continued,

"Behold, they that wear fine clothing live in King's houses." (v. 8).

Isn't it ridiculous to think that a poor man would dress like a king? Of course it is. Likewise fallible deceived people must act the way they do! Otherwise they would not be deceived would they? "What went you out into the wilderness to see?" What do you expect?

Killing another person comes down to a simple choice to do it or not to do it. This young man, because of his belief system which was unfortunately re-enforced by society, made a choice to force people to do what he thought they must! It was just that simple. And now he has the rest of his life to think about what he chose to do.

And those of us that he didn't kill only have to wonder when will it happen again. We have planted the seeds, we are watering them and harvest time will come!