I Am for Peace

I am for peace…

Not in the sappy “Miss America” world peace kind of way…but for true, abiding, Jesus-giving peace. (No offense to any past, present, or future Miss America intended.)

The news headlines yesterday were very disturbing…Shooting in VA at the Republican Congressional baseball practice.

The hatred fueling the shooting has me remarkably puzzled. I wonder how politics could fuel the flames of hatred so hotly that it explodes into a torrent of gunfire on such an innocuous event.

And the hatred explosions burst in all directions…republican, democrat, independent…whatever! The outliers of any political party will and do have their “crazies”.

But when I reflect on some root causes that may have ignited the spark, I am brought back to very public figures who have exhibited inflammatory behaviors.

Suddenly it has become the Hollywood “in vogue” thing to not just bash, jab, and mimic the POTUS, but to spew hateful speech and misogynistic ideas toward the office. Should I name names? Madonna said she entertains the idea of blowing up the Whitehouse; Kathy Griffin (I can barely even type that name without gagging) with her picture of a decapitated Trump; the Julius Caesar play in NY that depicts the stabbing of a Trump-like Caesar.

Please do not think I am defending only President Trump…I am defending the office of the presidency. Trump has done some pretty indefensible things himself.

However, no sitting president deserves that kind of bashing. Furthermore, it insights the fringes of political parties, the outliers, to justify their violent acts.

Even though these public crass displays of disrespect are deplorable, the actual ammo for it is hatred – pure and simple.

I still remember how exhausting social media was before and after the election due to all of the hateful comments on all sides being launched like hand grenades. FaceBook and Twitter were no longer enjoyable. Can we all drop our political grenades? Colossians 4:6 urges us to “Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”

Psalm 120 is attributed to David – admittedly a man of war. However, his heart’s desire was peace even though he lived among a people prone to hate peace…

 Too long has my soul had its dwelling
With those who hate peace.
I am for peace, but when I speak,
They are for war. Psalm 120:6-7

Yes David, I am for peace too! But Jesus is our only true source of peace (For He Himself is our peace…Eph. 2:14).  He is the only One who can douse the flames of hatred and restore peace. My prayer is that my behavior and speech is always filled with grace and light and be seasoned with the salt of Jesus.

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