Why Wars? Why Peace Does Not "Stick"

It is hard not to be alarmed as we can "tune in" to all the violence happening all over the globe.

What if many of us are missing something?

When I read of history it does seem that since the Garden of Eden there seems to be some heavy competition. Beginning with the first murder listed in the Bible, Cain killing Abel, it seems that even as God took the nation of Israel (version 1.0 NOT today's version) under His protection and proclaimed that it would bless the world .. the world was not blessed .. at least initially.

Genesis 12:1-3 "The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

So Jesus, God's son, comes to earth centuries later (after Israel fails to live up to expectations) and says that STILL there will be wars and rumors of war. (noted in the verse quoted above) However, in another verse he says:

OK .. so his message can give us peace .. BUT in this world we WILL have tribulation:

The worlds armies and navies are preparing .. so what are we to do?

I think it is key to reflect on why the first murder happened. One brother was jealous that another brother was favored by God .. that there was competition in the perceived performance towards a God that seemed to want rules followed period. It is all too easy to get trapped in the need to perform.  Many complicate "faith" ... and get further trapped in shame when it doesn’t feel like we or those around us are doing enough.

But when Jesus spoke these words, ... “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:35) he was promising something that could release us from the burden of performance.

While this will NOT prevent wars .. it could help to give your family, work or community some peace if just a few people figure out that it isn’t up to us to try to earn God's love, but rather to learn to embrace it--and live in the joy of relationship with Him.  We are no longer in competition with others if we think God grades on a bell curve and those that perform well obtain His:

If that is all you think about, you probably are stuck in religion ... because apparently it is still all about you.

Alternatively, when we live in the security of a father/son relationship with Him, loving our neighbors as ourselves is no longer a burden or something we feel required to do in order to prove our love for God, or prove to ourselves that we are good believers ...

... it becomes a natural response to His love for us.  A willingness and desire to take care of each other becomes a natural part of who we are, a reflection of God’s love in us back to the rest of the world.

THAT is how we can bless the world .. by understanding His love for us first .. and that might take a while .. so take your time and ask Him to show you .. as he loves the hard questions as much as He loves the process.

In the mean time, know that this world is broken .. and the wars and rumors of wars will never stop. But if you would like just a little peace in the midst of the storm .. consider His message ... He will not force it on you. He's a great Dad!