Job 31:26 if I have regarded the sun in its radiance or the moon moving in splendor,...

In Italy, Europe, people face a great dilemma. There is a small island, close to Africa but still Italy. Many refugees from Africa try to reach this island to apply for asylum in Italy. Just the other day a boat with 500 refugees went up in flames and at least 150 of the refugees burnt or drowned, for they were still on the water. Many have gone to help and find the survivors. But the situation in itself poses a problem for Italy, for these are illegal immigrants, of course, trying to take advantage of a fairly generous system of help for those in need that is in place in Europe. Many of these refugees come from disastrous political situations and deserve help. Yet Italy, that had a lot of trouble with its own financial situation, cannot help all. And Europe starts to be full of refugees. Most come for legit reasons, some do not. Especially the boats from Africa have been said to be sent by merchants, people buy their places with lots of money, moreover, sometimes more radical people enter Europe that way, as it is supposed to lead relatively surely to be accepted as a refugee. - Like my girl in that picture, I enjoy it when the sun slowly disappears into the sea. It is a very beautiful sight. The shimmering water, the colors of the sun, so much splendor and beauty, before the moon throws a silvery coolness onto that same scenery. I was lucky enough to be in Italy when I was much younger and I loved those hours. But if you are in danger, like those on the boat, or somebody you love, I love, is in danger, all beauty seems to disappear into one moment of black despair. Yet, is the sunset less beautiful? It is in the eye of the onlooker that beauty lies. Of his feeling towards the scenery. Where I go home to a comfy place, this is a very pretty sight. Where a night on endless waters with no supplies is coming up, this may not matter much. - Beauty often lies in the situation, in the well-being of those, watching it. - But, to wrap up a thought, is my need making God less majestic? Is his splendor overshadowed by my grief? Not so. A believer can often feel his glory even in the midst of severe pain (even so Jesus felt completely forlorn at the cross) and when we are with God it will all end in bliss and beauty. This still leaves the question open about what to do with so many exploited and distraught refugees.