The Possibility of Peace

Peace is possible when individuals reject the notion -- perpetuated by leaders on all sides -- that if other people are different, they are therefore evil. Peace can prevail when we realize that even if citizens of other countries don't look like us or talk like us, they are not necessarily our enemies. Consider how the face of our enemy has changed with nearly every war. We were required to hate the Germans for a while, but now we've taken a break from that. Of course there have been many others along the way. For example, we had to hate the Japanese during WWII, and the Russians were the bad guys for a long time, but now our leaders have given us permission to be best friends with those countries. Our current enemy has dark skin and wears a turban.

Sounds kind of ridiculous, doesn't it? Especially given the fact that God loved the world so he sent his son...that would be the whole world he loves, not just a few -- he loves Americans, but guess what? He loves Arabs, too and Africans and Afghanis and everyone else from every corner of the world. We are not called to hate anyone or to make war with any country; we are called to love one another beyond all reason.

As the new year approaches, let us resolve to realize that we're not so different. Except for a handful of power-hungry, ruthless people who have something to gain by continuing to fight -- some who are far away and some who are very near -- peace is what we all desire, no matter where we live.

Jim Wallis happens to be a hero of mine. He is the founding editor-in-chief of "Sojourners" magazine, has written several marvelous books and is immersed in making progress on many social justice issues. Following is what he posted on December 23, 2009 in the magazine's weekly email newsletter, SojoMail. (I encourage you to sign up for the newsletter; great perspectives on so many things.) It's a prime example of what individuals can do to change the course of history.

"'Silent Night' by Stanley Weintraub, is the story of Christmas Eve, 1914, on the World War I battlefield in Flanders. As the German, British, and French troops facing each other were settling in for the night, a young German soldier began to sing “Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht.” Others joined in. When they had finished, the British and French responded with other Christmas carols.

"Eventually, the men from both sides left their trenches and met in the middle. They shook hands, exchanged gifts, and shared pictures of their families. Informal soccer games began in what had been 'no-man’s-land.' And a joint service was held to bury the dead of both sides.

"The generals, of course, were not pleased with these events. Men who have come to know each other’s names and see each other’s families are much less likely to want to kill each other. War seems to require a nameless, faceless enemy. So, following that magical night the men on both sides spent a few days simply firing aimlessly into the sky. Then the war was back in earnest and continued for three more bloody years. Yet the story of that Christmas Eve lingered – a night when the angels really did sing of peace on earth."

first try

Well, I suppose I'm convinced the world is interested in what I have to say, so here goes me, launching a blog. Whether or not I'm truly convinced everyone is interested in my opinion, I'm certain everyone should be interested in my opinion, and I'm not sure which sounds more conceited, but I don't mean to be (conceited, that is). It's just that most everyone who feels compelled to write, also feels compelled to share what they've written, and I am no exception. I plan to offer comments on lots of social justice issues and other topics, and I want to encourage all of us to rise up and become better people, making the most of each and every day. Now is the time for all of us -- those with resources and those with none -- to start to take responsibility for ourselves and for one another. And I'm not talking about what happens in the political arena, because I believe I might just be done entirely with politics. I suppose I may sound a little bossy from time to time; my family will likely confirm your suspicions if that's what you think. I probably am a little bossy, but it's for your own good! (And the greater good, too. Everybody wins.) Going away now to start figuring out ways to link a bunch things of together. You see, I've written a book which I think might just change the world (isn't that what every author thinks?), but since Oprah hasn't called me yet, I've got to do what I can to get the word out to get people to read it first, so that's my ulterior motive. (I don't want you to think I'm tricking you.) It's called "The Least of These." It's available everywhere online. Christianbooks.com is a good place to look. You see, it's a contemporary Christian novel, and I make no apologies about that because it's the Christian folk who need to get off our behinds and get out of our church buildings and start helping one another to an always greater degree. Even if you're not a Christian, I bet you'll enjoy it, (just ignore some of the specifically Christian messages, and you'll be just fine). It's a pretty good story if I do say so myself. I'm sure you'll hear more about it later.