Shortly after awakening in the early hours of the morning, a kaleidoscope of thoughts filled my head. News of war and tragedy in the Middle East flood the news, and most of us can't begin to fathom the horror of what that kind of everyday experience could bring.
No sooner did that thought fill my head, than another memory came to mind. Several years ago, a friend confided to me that in his younger years the emotional turmoil in which he found himself was overwhelming. Looking for a way out, he placed a single round in his revolver, spun the cylinder, placed the muzzle against his head and pulled the trigger. The loaded chamber didn't align with the barrel, and he lived to see another day.
I'm not sure how that game of chance came to be known as Russian Roulette, but I know any number of people who subtly play something as lethal with the pent-up anger they hold against someone else. Of course, the person's demise isn't instant. It is normally followed by years of living with a level of hatred that steal from them a sense of playfulness and enjoyment in life.
Hated is always self-destructive. It destroys the person that chooses to hang onto it. Forgiveness is at the heart of the Gospel. It is stated simply in the Lord's Prayer: "And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive others their trespasses, you heavenly Father will also forgive you. "[ Matthew 6:12-14]
At the birth of Christ, the angels announced to the shepherds in the fields: "Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!'" [Luke 2: 8-14 ESV]
One of my favorite Christmas songs is sung by Vince Gill. The song, "Let There Be Peace On Earth" was written in 1955 by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller. Reportedly Jill Jackson-Miller had been suicidal after the failure of her marriage to screenwriter Felix Jackson. She wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love."
The lyrics to the song:
"Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me
LET THERE BE PEACE ON EARTH
The peace that was meant to be
With God as our Father
Brothers all are we.
Let me walk with my brother
In perfect harmony.
Let peace begin in me
Let this be the moment now.
With ev'ry step I take
Let this be my solemn vow
To take each moment and live
Each moment in peace eternally
Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me.
Peace – I once signed a letter to the wife of a former U.S. Representative with whom I was involved in a foster care project by using the word peace as the closing salutation. She responded that she found my word choice interesting and added the thought that peace is something worth fighting for.
All My Best!
Don
No comments:
Post a Comment