The Lesser Of Two Evils

The series began on September 17, 1972 and ended on February 28, 1983.
It was adapted to television from the 1970 movie of the same name.
It was one of the highest rated TV shows in television history.
Its finale was watched by a record breaking 125 million viewers.

The show was called MASH.
It was about the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital in South Korea during the Korean War.
MASH depicted events that occurred during the three-year military conflict.
The series ran for 11 seasons and had 256 episodes.

I watched MASH, though not from the very beginning.
Through syndication, the episodes I missed in the beginning I was able to see in reruns.
Actual MASH surgeons were interviewed to provide the backdrop for many of the stories.
The Vietnam War was still happening when the show began; MASH had much to say about war.

Many episodes were favorites of mine for different reasons.
However, one episode never left me because of the message it conveyed.
The episode was in Season 7.
It was called, Preventative Medicine.

As in most episodes, there was always a side bar story.
The side bar story has been forgotten; however, the actual plot has never left my memory.
The story centered around Lt. Col. Lacy, of the 163rd Combat Infantry.
He was the CO with the highest casualty rate of any single battalion in the sector.

The doctors and surgeons of the 4077th dealt with injuries and casualties all the time.
However, Lt. Col. Lacy refused to obey an order to retreat.
He did not seem to care about the casualties he created or will create.
Lacy’s latest plan was to take Hill 403 based on a plan used in a WWII Battle.

This plan would have a 20-30% casualty rate.
That would translate to about 100 men.
Lacy receives a phone call from a general telling him that his Hill 403 offensive has been denied.
Lacy will not take NO for an answer.

He plans to send men out on reconnaissance.
Reconnaissance usually draws fire.
Once the shooting starts, he knows that it will be hard to say who started it.
Hawkeye Pierce and BJ Hunnicutt, both surgeons, despise this man and his war games.

Hawkeye had a plan.
He and BJ live with another surgeon in a tent they call, The Swamp.
After inviting Lt. Col Lacy to the Swamp to unwind, Hawkeye puts something in his drink.
It will make Lacy sick and take him off the battle line for a while.

Lacy doubles over in pain and Hawkeye informs him that it is appendicitis.
Appendicitis requires surgery and then recuperation.
Lacy objects since he will lose his command if he is off the line for that long.
Hawkeye decides that he must remove Lacy’s perfectly healthy appendix for the greater good.

As they scrub for surgery, Haweye and BJ have an argument.
BJ says that cutting out a perfectly healthy appendix is mutilation.
Hawkeye thinks it is worth it in order to save the lives of the young men.
Hawkeye goes ahead with his plan but BJ walks out, refusing to participate.

When Hawkeye comes back to The Swamp he admits that Lacy’s appendix was healthy.
Pink and perfect, and I tossed it in the scrap bucket, Hawkeye admitted.
BJ tells Hawkeye that more wounded are coming just as the PA system announces it.
You treated a symptom–the disease goes merrily on, BJ wisely said.

I have been thinking a lot about this episode during this political season.
The two major candidates have extremely high unfavorable ratings.
People admit that their vote will simply be for the lesser of two evils.
I am reminded of a quote by Charles Spurgeon.

Of two evils, choose neither. Christians must turn from the endless cycle of voting for the lesser of evils and expecting an unrighteous act to produce a righteous result. From a communist to a cultist, choosing the lesser of evils is still evil, and never should we do evil that good may come.

People say that they will vote for one person so the other person will not win.
People are dismissing racism, bigotry, disrespect, and narcissism saying it is the lesser evil.
People are turning their head without really thinking about the long term effect of their choice.
I have prayed many mornings for our country.

Father, we deserve everything we are getting. As a nation, we have turned our backs on You, yet still expect You to come through for us. We kill babies in the womb and trample marriage as if we think we can redefine something You instituted. For the sake of Your people, have mercy on us. For the sake of Your remnant, show us the way out of the mess we have made. Where is Your Church? Why is the Church not saying, NO or ENOUGH? Why are Your people so silent? What are we so afraid of? Father, forgive us for the sin of apathy. Forgive us for thinking we know better than You. Forgive us for tossing You aside for the momentary pleasure of the idols that we worship. Humble us so that we realize our deep need of You. You are our only hope. Our hope does not come from who governs us or what laws we make. Our hope is in You alone. We ask for mercy. We ask for wisdom. We ask for the courage to stand and say NO to evil. In the precious name of our Lord Jesus. Amen.

We are trying to band-aid a problem.
We think that by removing a candidate that is undesirable, we will solve all of our problems.
As BJ Hunnicutt wisely said, You treated a symptom–the disease goes merrily on.
We need to eradicate the disease that is plaguing our nation.

Our disease is a heart problem; a heart that has rejected God.
We do not know what God’s Word says and if we do know, we refuse to obey.
We think we can pick and choose passages and verses on a whim to suit us.
We fail to realize that we must obey God’s Word in its entirety.

We have no other choice.
That is the true choice of this election cycle.
Do we believe God or not?
Do we know what God’s Word says and do we obey?

We would not stand for some of the things we are tolerating if we obeyed God first.
Name calling, put downs, derogatory remarks, and violence would be detestable to us.
Disregard for life, redefining marriage, and disregard for the created order would cease.
God’s people would be on the offensive with His Word as our shield and our sword.

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless. Not to speak is to speak. Not to act is to act. (Dietrich Bonhoeffer)

It is not too late.
If God’s people repent of their indifference to Him, He will hear us and He will act.

If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14)

We cannot simply treat the symptom while the disease goes merrily on.
Enough is enough.
God’s people need to come together and stand against evil.
God’s people need to stand for God and repent of our apathy and disobedience.

Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. (Galatians 6:7)
Have mercy on us.
It is not too late.
And God’s people say, Amen!

 

2 responses to “The Lesser Of Two Evils”

1. Gina, I thoroughly agree with you. People say our vote is precious, but when you have candidates who all violate what God teaches how can you in good conscience vote for any of them? As of right now I can’t do it.

   Reply

   • Sue,
     This election will require a lot of prayer for all of us. Only God can give us the wisdom we need to make the choices that will honor Him.
     Gina

     Reply