Imagine IF….

“So, how’s it working for you?”

A phrase often used when attempting to persuade someone to think about their actions, usually when the same negative outcome is constantly repeated. Or perhaps we’ve been asked that question up close and personal for similar reasons. Of course, it’s uncomfortable, which never invalidates the question. Whenever an individual or nation, whether Trump or Israel/Hamas (for topical example), is unwilling to be accountable and answer questions about their actions, we should be very alarmed. The worst response is to back off, accept their pleading of ‘the 5th’, or fall silent because the bully tries to intimidate. There is way too much of that mindset.

So, let’s tackle the hot potato of Israel and Hamas.

Israel. The incessant bombing of Gaza. Justified by understandable anger and frustration with Hamas wanting to annihilate their nation and intent on locating weapons of war in the midst of civilians, hospitals, schools, apartment blocks. “We have every right to defend ourselves!” Where does it end?

Hamas. The single-minded focus to wipe out Israel as a country and a people. A flagrant disregard for Palestinians, their freedom, their safety, their personal growth and aspirations. Attack children, the elderly, families, rape, decapitate, blow up. How’s that working for you? Where does it end?

For Israel and Hamas, many questions, many challenges. How is your aggression working for you? Every time someone resists or attacks you bring out your considerable force, invoke the holocaust, and insist that the world should understand and support your tough love, citizens, children, innocent victims be damned. They asked for it. Perhaps, there’s truth to that. But history shows us that every time any one side has taken such ruthless action it has radicalized and motivated ‘the enemy’ to come back stronger next time. We saw that principle in Southern Africa. Europe reaped what they sowed with Germany after the First World War. Better historians than I could give other examples (Ukraine, indigenous people throughout the world, and…).

To be clear, this is not an anti-Israel/Palestine issue at all. If one reads the Old Testament Scriptures there are many occasions God asks tough questions of those whom he loves. And they don’t get away with pleading ignorance or making excuses. Claiming God is on your side has never impressed God, nor been a justification for actions God would never condone. Imagine if he wounded or killed everyone who blasphemed, disobeyed him, or gave him the finger and turned their back on him?! The character he reveals through Jesus, the Messiah, is one of strength, truth, compassion, love, sacrifice, perseverance, consideration of the weak, forgiveness, mercy, grace, long-suffering, humility – the list could be longer.

Which leads to my point. Imagine, if both Israel and Hamas were to at least try a different strategy before sending out the bombs. I know this is wishful thinking and naïve. Israel is a member of the United Nations. They can accomplish nothing on their own, no nation can. The best way to undermine the enemy is to do everything you can to minimize their reason for discontent or their desire to attack. What if Israel insisted on working with the United Nations to create a place for Palestinians, even beginning with Gaza? And Palestinians did the same? Both accepting that there is no perfect starting point. To work with the United Nations(another saga of leadership for sure) to make the culture and environment positive and hopeful for all citizens, and to forbid amassing weapons, digging tunnels, and preparing for conflict. Having checks in place for Israel as well as Hamas/Palestinians (I don’t believe they are one and the same). So complicated, it’s admittedly hard to dream. But still…

It takes far more courage to work toward peace than to assemble weapons and resort to aggression. If someone attacks then of course we have to defend. You kill 1400 of ours and we kill 8,000 of yours. Later you kill 16,000 of ours and so it climbs the ladder of insanity. I wonder whether we don’t need a clean slate of younger leaders with less scar tissue and a willingness to consider what the older generation has failed to consider for far too long. Fresh eyes and ears, on all sides. Not being romantic, nor naïve, merely weary of the same old drumming from the same beating fists of aged men (usually) with not much new to contribute, and too much blood under their fingernails. Eyes are failing, cataracts of hate, tunnel vision (for some literally). Chronic hearing loss, echo chambers in bubbles, too much damage from bombs and gunfire.

Of this one truth I am certain. There is no peace or hope outside of the love of God. Broken and bruised people can never heal themselves, forgive, or find the strength to overcome. Humanity evolving, smarter, wiser, kinder? Not much evidence for how it’s positively working for us, going it independent and alone.

God knows, we need help.

I wonder, I imagine, I dream, I pray.

When my mind is like a battlefield
And my heart is overcome by fear
And hope seems like a ship that’s lost at sea

My enemies on every side
And I’m tempted to run and hide
Your gentle whisper reaches out to me

Peace
Holds me when I’m broken
Sweet peace
That passes understanding
When the whole wide world is crashing down
I fall to my knees
And I breathe in
Your peace

Fiery arrows whistling
The terror of the night sets in
But I can feel Your angels all around

I am resting underneath
The shelter of Your mighty wings
Your promises are where my hope is found
All my hope, in You

Peace
Holds me when I’m broken
Sweet peace
That passes understanding
When the whole wide world is crashing down
I fall to my knees
And breathe in
Your peace

I remember who You are
You’re the God who’s never far
So I will not be afraid
God, You always keep me safe in Your arms

I remember who You are
You’re the God who’s never far
So I will not be afraid
God, You always, You always keep me safe

You give me peace
That holds me when I’m broken
Sweet peace
That passes understanding
When the whole wide world is crashing down
I fall to my knees
And breathe in

I breathe You, I breathe You in
Take a deep breath and be still
And know that You are God alone

Source: Musixmatch

Songwriters: Robert S. Kelly