Peace Prize

Peace is not something you can force. Real peace has to begin in each person. We all have the potential to create peace where we live and have it ripple affect around us. But that's easier said than done. One man's peace is another man's frustration. Peace is a heart issue, not a political issue. I've been studying this very thing over the last few weeks. Trying to wrap my brain around why anyone would hate anyone because of the color of their skin or the place where they come from or the way that they talk or the shape of their eyes or their religious, political or parenting points of view. It is all about one's heart. 

I've been down a winding path studying this from many different angles...Darwin (yes a Christian studying Darwin) was motivated by slavery to prove that all men were equal and from the same species through science, thinking that this would make people not hate or enslave another because of race. Science does not change a man's heart. William Wilberforce, a Christian called by God to fight slavery and a contemporary of Darwin's grandfathers and known personally to Darwin, set out to change Slavery through politics. He helped end the practice. Politics do not change a man's heart. John Newton (a mentor of Wilberforce) was a slave trader whose heart was changed and he penned "Amazing Grace" that became a call to a movement (inspiring the likes of Wilberforce)...he was actively involved in the slave trade, God changed his heart and he wrote about it. And the song is loved to this day. But it still hasn't changed men's hearts, though it might for a moment. If any of these single men or single acts could have ended racism or hatred of men, wouldn't it be gone by now? And the list goes on Booker T. Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., etc. If only any of these men could have ended racism. But racism or any kind of "ism" that dehumanizes a person's innate value is simply based on hatred and hatred is not peaceful.  

The human slave trade is alive today. Peace is not just about politics and who is at war with whom...peace is the absence of hate, oppression and enslavement. Darwin may have traced all men back to being one species biologically (apart from the inference of apes who quite frankly are more peaceful than we are and is a bigger stretch than than one link in my opinion), but he could not explain hate or enslavement because it is a heart issue...and the heart is beyond science. 

I went back to the roots of man in the Bible and found that with just the first two brothers, there was jealousy and hate enough to take the life of another. And it was because of pride or self interest. Going back further in Genesis, you see God create man not once, but twice. The Hebrew word used in the first reference is bara...to create out of nothing. The second reference is yatsar...to form as a potter with clay. The first reference is of making man in His image, the second is forming man from the dust of the earth. This is where I see the difference in how we address peace and isms, we keep addressing the formed man which is divisive while ignoring the created soul or heart of man which can unify when forgiven and made free from the power of sin.  

The truth is: we have all been blinded, we have all hated, we have all done evil, awful things...every one of us. It is only in a position of humility, and in the absence of pride, where we can consider others equal if not better than ourselves. Seeing ourselves from another perspective (even God's perspective), as flawed people who fail to love each other. It is our pride or need for self worth or self importance or self rightness that drives us to think evil thoughts of our fellow men be it based on race, politics or religion. It's always something. There will not be total peace in our world if it is not first in our hearts. Any hate or ill will, no matter how it is dressed up, is still void of peace.  

We might think we are good because we are not racist and want peace. But as long as we have hatred or ill will toward ANYONE in our hearts for whatever reason, we are not right or blameless or teaching peace. Some of you may hate me or at least think ill of me for even posting all of this. And trust me...I know. I do it too. I'm told to love my brothers and sisters in Christ. I'm told to love those who love me. I'm also told to love those who hate me. I'm told to love the little boy down the street that treats my son so badly or the guy who cuts me off and then gives me the finger. Why? Because I need a heart adjustment. I need to let go of having to have the last word or to be right or always feel good, important, appreciated, understood or loved. 

I have found that this is the heart of the message of Jesus...pick up your cross daily and die to self...He did. Because He loves everyone. He loved those who killed Him. He loves those who reject Him. He just loves. And it's this message of love that is often very confused and often contradicted by those who are trying so hard to follow Him because they keep putting on chains. I know...I've been there and I'm not perfect and all I can do is keep reminding myself that it isn't about me or being right or even understood, but it is about love. And I pick up my cross and try again. I think Obama has as much potential to garner peace as does Ahmadinejad, Jong or Jiabao. He could have chosen not to accept the award citing any number of reasons respectfully. Frankly, I would have more respect for him than I already do if he had.