Peace...is that even possible?
Posted by simplisticthoughts , Thursday, September 11, 2008 9:53 PM
So I have been thinking a lot of the subject of peace. Most people would agree that our aim in life is to achieve peace and live in harmony with one another. Not too many people I know love dissension and spite. Without sounding like a "Debbie downer" but peace to me almost seems like this Utopian fantasy that we all dream about but will never achieve. Why can we not achieve peace in our world? Because what is it in each one of our selfish selves causes us to live outside our desires, our needs, wants, etc...? Where does peace even start? Certainly not on a global level, that involves way too many people in one arena and too many people are too selfish to achieve peace on a global level. Next we go to a national level yet the same dilemma presents itself, so let's move on to state wide, city wide, etc... It is funny to me that we want to achieve global peace yet we can not even get along with the people that we love, better yet those whom we mark as our foes.
Look at the divorce rate in America alone, the vows that one makes with one another is soon shattered by lack of selflessness and peace, two people who once loved each other now can not even live under the same roof. (and yes I understand there are many factors that play into a divorce, but you get what I am saying) How backwards is that? Maybe we should start somewhere practical such as the home and work for peace in homes before we try to take the mission overseas. Now let me clarify, I am neither saying that I am or am not in support of this war nor am I claiming that we just give up our strive for peace. Because in striving for peace, our aim and focus shifts from ourselves to others. Let's think practically though, starting by loving our literal neighbors and even our friends and family and then hopefully we can take that to an international level. On another practical level, what is causing you to strive for peace? I think that peace is something we yearn for more when it does not cost anything for us, let me explain. It is easy to love your best friend who is always there for you, but what happens if that person betrays your trust? A price has to be paid with restoring that relationship; that price is allowing that hurt to be healed and forgive them of their trespasses. Not so easy is it? In Luke 6:31-35 it says, "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back..." It is easy to love when a price does not have to be paid, it is easy to love those who love us. The challenge comes when you have to love someone who hates you or has hurt you, all of a sudden those peace signs carry a heavier weight.
The United Peace Coalition is launching a campaign of going to 1,000,000 doors and getting 1,000,000 signatures to bring our troops home from the Middle East. Sounds like a good plan right? (note: I am not stating my position of whether I think or don't think we should bring home our troops, yet making a statement) Well say their plan is a success and the troops are brought home safe and sound, do we honestly think peace is going to start there? Give it time, something else will arise and action will be taken. So my advice to all peace advocates, let's start practically, let's start by getting along with those in our own lives first.
I'm going to have to kill you all!!! Blast! That is so much work! I'm going to have to shake my fists at you all! I'd agree Brizzle, peace is something you offer, it isn't something that you ask for, because you have to think of others to make peace happen. Me on the other hand, I'm different.... ha.