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War! Coming Soon to a TV Near You |
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By Tom Gilbert
- March, 2003
(Editor note: This article was written
just as the war in Iraq began. Still, we believe the
message is important even as that conflict winds down.)
Now
that war has begun and the campaign in Iraq is underway
one thing is inevitable. Virtually all of us will tune
in and watch it on television. Let’s face it, war
will be the ultimate “reality show”.
It’s a sad commentary on the viewing public that
many of the inane reality shows have become such big hits.
In a way, I’m not that surprised. We are all media
obsessed. The TV is a fixture in nearly every home and
it has become part of our ritual of daily living. Big
Brother, Joe Millionaire and Survivor
will pale, though, compared to the action that will unfold
with high-tech weaponry and the instant 24/7 coverage
of the networks.
Two things are certain when the bombs begin to fall: death
and destruction. It is the inevitable cost of battle.
The intent of this article is not to lay out either opposition
or support. There are many people passionate about their
feelings on both sides of the issue. Many of them also
profess faith in God and even Christianity.What I am most
concerned with is how all of us will react.
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War Is Not a Spectator Sport
As
believers we need to remember the message of Jesus, which
he told us several times was the message of the Father.
He told us, in essence, that God is concerned with all
of us, but especially with the oppressed, the downtrodden
and the hurting.
War is not a spectator sport, although I fear it will become
that for many people. Those who find themselves in the
midst of the conflict will certainly have a vastly different
viewpoint. Soldiers and civilians alike will be up close
and immersed in a reality that is foreign to most average
Americans. It might become riveting television, but
if it is entertainment to any of us we’d better
get a compassion checkup.
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Can We Meet On Common Ground?
Sometimes the very things that divide us so much can end up bringing
us together. It is like the classic “fight of flight”
tendency many of us have. When faced with trouble, either
we choose to stand our ground and fight, or we run away.
Corner any animal, even small and meek ones, and they
will typically fight if they cannot run.
Our challenge, and our quest, is to find a third way. The way of standing
firm in the face of adversity, courageously facing the
lion, but not lashing out in an attempt to kill. In
those anxious moments, we ask for God’s help.
The Holy Spirit enables us to meet the enemy with love.
You might ask who the enemy is. Is it the terrorists? Saddam Hussein?
All agressors?
Maybe the real enemy we face is the part in each of us rebelling
against the way Christ proposes. The way of love and
compassion. The way that has us turning in all things
to the Father of Light. The way of the truth and the
life ().
As I recall, Satan’s great sin
was pride and a refusal to put God first.
I hope we can all agree on praying for anyone that might be
in the thick of the war. Our armed forces, all the men
and woman who will be in the very real life and death
situations, need intercession and consideration. So,
too, do the soldiers on the other side. Moreover, most
especially, the men, women and children caught in the
middle. Regardless which side of the issue you are on—a
justified or not justified war—do not be detached
or callous.
War is not a spectator sport. Neither is peace.
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Scripture taken from the
Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.Copyright ©
1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights
reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International
Bible Society.
NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION® and NIV® are registered
trademarks of International Bible Society. Use of either
trademark for the offering of goods or services requires
the prior written consent of International Bible Society.
Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy
Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996. Used
by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton,
IL 60189, USA. All rights reserved.
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