Some of My Thoughts
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Today I was reading a report that stated in 1992, fourteen years ago, a group of academics and historians compiled this startling information: Since 3600 B.C., the world has known only 292 years of peace! During this period there have been 14,351 wars large and small, in which 3.64 billion people have been killed. The value of the property destroyed is equal to a golden belt around the world 97.2 miles wide and 33 feet thick. Since 650 B.C., there have also been 1,656 arms races, only 16 of which have not ended in war. The remainder ended in the economic collapse of the countries involved.
So of course, war has been around for centuries. I was then thinking about God and is He pleased with war, when I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:8 which states that there is a "time for war and a time for peace." So apparently God does support war, He even used war for His purposes.
So going a little further into the depths of my understanding, I was thinking how America is a beacon of light to the world, a symbol of freedom and democracy. Then I reflected on New York harbor, there standing on approximately ten acres of land, is the Statue of Liberty, with her torch raised up to the sky, greeting all who enter the harbor. To America and the world, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. People come to here to be able to live free, independent of oppression. Then I thought of the many who have given their lives sacrificially so we might enjoy the freedom we have today.
Which brought me to another thought or should I say truth... Nearly two thousand years ago on a hill called Mount Calvary stood a cross, an instrument of death for criminals. It was a symbol of death, but also a symbol of freedom. On this one “special” cross was One who did not deserve to be there. He was completely innocent of any crime whatsoever. He was there, however, because of you and I. This One who hung on that cross was Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The cross is an incredible symbol of freedom for those who believe.
So today, as I reflect on all these thoughts and the sacrifices, I am humbled and thankful. War is complicated, yet it is liberating at the same time.I don't pretend to understand it all. I know two thousand years ago man declared war on Christ, they sought his death, but his death liberated many. I am free to serve Christ in America, I am free to preach the Gospel, to share my beliefs.
I am thankful for so much and I will remember to pray for our military and not take them for granted, for through war and bloodshed, we enjoy another kind of freedom, not the soul liberating freedom Christ gives, but physical freedom.
I don't know if I should compare the two, but I was awe struck today as I was thinking about freedom, sometimes my thoughts take me to places I am still trying to sort out and understand, and some things I know I won't understand in this life. I don't have the answers so I will just look to the one who does and in the meantime I will trust He is working all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
So of course, war has been around for centuries. I was then thinking about God and is He pleased with war, when I was reminded of Ecclesiastes 3:8 which states that there is a "time for war and a time for peace." So apparently God does support war, He even used war for His purposes.
So going a little further into the depths of my understanding, I was thinking how America is a beacon of light to the world, a symbol of freedom and democracy. Then I reflected on New York harbor, there standing on approximately ten acres of land, is the Statue of Liberty, with her torch raised up to the sky, greeting all who enter the harbor. To America and the world, the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of freedom. People come to here to be able to live free, independent of oppression. Then I thought of the many who have given their lives sacrificially so we might enjoy the freedom we have today.
Which brought me to another thought or should I say truth... Nearly two thousand years ago on a hill called Mount Calvary stood a cross, an instrument of death for criminals. It was a symbol of death, but also a symbol of freedom. On this one “special” cross was One who did not deserve to be there. He was completely innocent of any crime whatsoever. He was there, however, because of you and I. This One who hung on that cross was Jesus Christ, the Son of God. The cross is an incredible symbol of freedom for those who believe.
So today, as I reflect on all these thoughts and the sacrifices, I am humbled and thankful. War is complicated, yet it is liberating at the same time.I don't pretend to understand it all. I know two thousand years ago man declared war on Christ, they sought his death, but his death liberated many. I am free to serve Christ in America, I am free to preach the Gospel, to share my beliefs.
I am thankful for so much and I will remember to pray for our military and not take them for granted, for through war and bloodshed, we enjoy another kind of freedom, not the soul liberating freedom Christ gives, but physical freedom.
I don't know if I should compare the two, but I was awe struck today as I was thinking about freedom, sometimes my thoughts take me to places I am still trying to sort out and understand, and some things I know I won't understand in this life. I don't have the answers so I will just look to the one who does and in the meantime I will trust He is working all things out for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes.
posted by Live, Love, Laugh | 9:53 PM
5 Comments:
Odd; I've been thinking about Romans 8:28ff in my blog recently too (the last post about the duck).
The question of how the Lord works through, or in spite of, bad things and pain perplexes me and I kick that idea around often.
I don't have a definitive answer either but I think a lot of the truth lies in resurrection, ie the Cross and what follows supplies a key to reasons behind, or I should say above, war and suffering.
I suspect that although it seldom makes sense to me, the Lord knows what He's doing.
I actually have a hard time believing that there were 292 years of peace. I'm betting that it may be a couple months here, a couple months there, but I doubt there's EVER been total peace ANYwhere. We just didn't record some of the battles and wars that were going on at those times.
You are so smart; He triumphed over evil and death. And I AM certain He delights in YOU. ;)
Psalm 18:16 He reached down from on high and took hold of me; He drew me out of deep waters. 17 He rescued me from my powerful enemy, from my foes, who were too strong for me. 18 They confronted me in the day of my disaster,but the LORD was my support. 19 He brought me out into a spacious place; he rescued me because he delighted in me.
I like the old adage, "Freedom is never free!"
John,
I am so glad I am not the only one without answers. I too know God is in control and I have read the book and know we win in the end, so that gives me comfort.
Saur,
You are so right, I am sure there are conflicts that haven't been recorded. thankfully God is in control.
Mike,
You made me laugh. What a wonderful scripture! I loved that!! By the way, I need your link to your website, I thought I had saved it in favorites, but seemed to have failed to do so, or accidentally deleted it. thanks and God Bless!!
Bonnie,
Yes freedom definately is not free!!! That one points sums it all up.
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