I Think I May Be a Pacifist

I think I may be a pacifist. One of my favorite songs is “Bobby Darin - Simple Song of Freedom.” Check it out on YouTube. I want Netanyahu and the leader of Hamas to go somewhere and fight each other and leave the people alone. I want Putin and Zelensky to go there also and wrestle until one gives up. Leave the people alone. We would all be better people if our “politicians” would do the same among themselves. When Jesus was arrested, Peter pulled a sword and cut off someone’s ear. Jesus told him to put his sword away (Matthew 26:52). Jesus also added “Those who use the sword will die by the sword.” Jesus was prophetic. Nations that build up piles of armaments will surely find a way to use them or, in a feeble act of innocence, sell them to others who will use them. I wish and pray our politicians had courage so we could get military weapons off our streets as well as stop killing people we have locked up in our prisons with capital punishment. I really wish those in prison, who are not a danger to others or themselves, could be set free. I think I may be a pacifist.

Christmas and Wars

I still do not understand why or how a kid from Oklahoma was in Bethlehem on Christmas day. Nevertheless, I was there. I do understand why—I was leading a group from our Church. The how is also easily understood as we were touring the Holy Lands. I have fond memories of being in Bethlehem on several occasions, but especially that Christmas. Today’s news reports that Bethlehem is quiet, and the Church of the Nativity is closed due to the war. What a tragedy that the city and Church built over the cave where it is believed the Prince of Peace was born is now closed. Perhaps this is the Christmas message of 2023—the Price of Peace has been made unavailable and quiet because of wars happening in Israel, Ukraine, and other parts of our world. It would be a wonderful Christmas gift if the nations would study war no more. The Prince of Peace must be incredibly sad on this 2023 Christmas day.

Adapting to Change

Every transition or change is a mixture of joy, happiness, relief, peace, etc. and grief, sadness, anxiety, etc. These thoughts and feelings are just part of the reality of transition. Everyone will experience transition, especially as we age. It is sad when we attempt to deny and/or avoid transitions because we then become hoarders, often without realizing we have become hoarders. We must hang on to our things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. because we think they are evidence of our value. In educational psychology graduate school at the University of Oklahoma, I was introduced to the educational theories of Jean Piaget whose definition of intelligence was the ability to adjust and/or accommodate to change. The ability to hold lightly to one’s things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. seems the best measure of intelligence as well as mental and emotional health. I want to take care of my things; I want them to be simple. I am thankful for a good public image and whatever influence I may have. However, I want to hold all of this lightly because there will be changes and transitions and I want to enter those transitions without trying to hold onto them as if they are reflective of my value. My value is my relationship to the Divine and I do not need to worry about that changing, it is eternal. Nothing else is eternal; those other things, ideas, public images, influence, etc. will change and I will eventually lose them. This is a universal truth. The Buddhist’s know about being non-attached. Jesus’ invitation was “Follow me.” To obey Jesus’ invitation, I must be willing to let go of my things, ideas, public image, influence, etc. Things wear out and become obsolete; ideas develop into newer ideas; public image fades; influence will eventually become non-existent; etc. Faith has an element of insecurity because faith asks for a step into an unknown future. By faith, I want to be willing and able to adjust and/or accommodate all transitions and changes which will be part of my life’s journey.