The End of War

 “Day is done, gone the sun …” Rukard Hurd

“Why do the nations rage?” asks the psalmist. “Why not?” answers this writer. 

“Why do the people plot in vain?” continues the psalmist (Psalm 2). Because that’s what people do.

To ask why people, parties, and nations do what they do is like asking water why it flows downhill, or the wind why it blows. It is the nature of water to seek and find the low spot. It is in the nature of wind to be restless.

We rage because we are under the illusion that we have power. It is an illusion, and so we rage against the night. We rage against the storm. We rage against injustice, or the threat of injustice, or the fear that something unjust may occur. Our rage is not in vain. Even if it does not seem to accomplish anything, we get it out of our system so that it will not consume us with our anger, fears, frustrations, or the many (or few) slights we suffer.

We rage because it is in our nature to rage. We don’t like what is, so we face our options. We can work to change what we do not like, or we can complain. One involves thought and labor; the other requires little more than a waggable tongue. Like water, most of us follow the path of least resistance, so we wag our tongues. We imagine (vainly) that our complaints carry the same weight as action. They don’t, so we add more complaints to the pile, assuming that the more detritus we pile on, the weightier our argument will seem.

We rage because we are blowhards. Raised voices always sound more commanding and authoritative to nervous nellies willing to listen to them. 

“‘My ways are not your ways,’ says the Lord. ‘For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.’” (Isaiah 55)

What does God expect of us? What does God expect of godly people?

“You shall go out with joy. You shall be led forth with peace. The mountains and hills will break forth into song, and the trees shall break forth into applause.”

We rage because it is in our nature to rage, but that is not our only alternative. We can recognize injustice or inequality, and instead of denying it, we can accept it for what it is, and ask, “How may I help make this right? How may I help fix it? How may I help repair the breach? How may you and I work together so that everyone has what they need, and no one is ever shut up or thrown into outer darkness?”

We rage because we know no better. We have been trained to rage, to fight, to bully. Cain clobbered Abel because he was jealous of his brother. He hated his brother. Notice, though, that God did not clobber Cain. God placed a seal of protection – salvation – upon him, warning the world to leave him be. God has placed a seal upon each of us, as well. It’s not enough to simply leave one another alone, although if that’s the best one can manage, then go for it.

Jesus reminds us in the Gospel that we are called to a higher place. We are called to love God thoroughly, and to manifest that love in how we approach one another. We are not enemies; we are neighbors. Our sacrifices do not cancel or vitiate the sacrifices others have made. God values and honors every sacrifice made with as pure a heart as we have to offer.

We celebrate Veterans Day this week, honoring those who serve (and have served) in the armed forces. The men and women of the armed forces staff fence-lines so that we may sleep in peace, safety, and security. When called to fight, they are unequalled, but their true strength is found in their dedication to peace.

When you get right down to it, they don’t rage. They serve. They serve with honor and distinction. They provide us a good and godly example of how to live peaceably. While tempted to rage (because that is my nature), I shall strive to emulate their good example in my life, and here in this, our valley, and pray you’ll join me.

Day is done / gone the sun / from the lake / from the hill / from the sky / all is well / safely rest / God is nigh. (Taps, words by R. Hurd)