Sunday, on my way back from speaking at a youth retreat for BonAir Baptist – James River Campus’ youth group and was sardine can style seated next to another large guy on a small plane. Between me drifting in and out of sleep, I learned that he was on his way to try and secure a contract with the military for the product/services he provides. In my mind I thought it to be unthinkable to me to make my living off of wars, weapons, and bloodshed — I pretty much judged this man because of what he does.
Later, I made a passing comment about the farmland we were flying over and how its strange that some farmers get paid to not plant/grow so they could influence the market.
I was pleasantly surprised (only surprised because I wrongfully had negative assumptions) by his response. He said, “We could feed the world if we wanted.”
I replied, “Yeah but you can’t make money feeding the world…and that might put a damper on your business a little bit.”
“Peace would be worth it,” he said in a tone that communicated that he both agreed with me, was ok with me assuming too much of him, and that he would love to see it happen. I need to work on that bit about not assuming too much about people’s motivations…I think I have found the beginnings of the answer to the question posed in the title of this post.
Nations rage because the people that make them up are bad at getting along peacefully. There is a song that is fairly popular for churches to sing these days called “The Lord Reigns” that alludes to how silly it is that we rage against each other when the Lord is on the throne. Our creeds and scriptures tell us that God is in control of the nations, history, and is in the business of setting things right (if not in our time, there will be a day). So then why all the war, violence, and anti-creation continue?
My wrongful assumptions about this man may be the best start to an answer to that question that appears in Psalms 2. Nations rage because we refuse to allow God to change our hearts. Consider Paul’s words to some early Christians:
Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written
“It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12AND
Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Ephesians 4
It seems to me that peace among nations depends on the ability of the people that make up the nations to be at peace with each other. The verse from Ephesians tells me how that is possible — Christ forgave me. The hope for peace is allowing Christ’s forgiveness, gentleness, compassion on me to change me by showing it to other people — including not jumping to divisive conclusions about people who make money from wars…
Here is the conclusion of Psalm 2:
Serve the LORD with fear
and rejoice with trembling.Kiss the Son, lest he be angry
and you be destroyed in your way,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
Blessed are all who take refuge in him
May the grace and peace of Christ be with your spirit,
CWillz
