February 23, 2003

In reading an article by Ben Espisito today, I was struck by something I am unsure was recognized as present before. I asked myself the question, “Why are we going to war in Iraq?” I asked this from a skeptical viewpoint as to whether I had actually meditated on the whole issue, or if I had just accepted the popular stream of support. While not revelatory, my thoughts were a bit confusing.

It is likely acknowledged that what the leadership in Iraq may--or may not-- be doing is likely bad. In America, our freedom and civil liberties are often valued more than just about anything except our new car, cell phone, or laptop. In Iraq, there is certainly a lesser degree of such freedoms, as well as a totally different form of government. But if we asked ourselves honestly, is what we are doing more about our personal convenience rather than the poor, suffering, mistreated residents of Iraq? I am challenged by the fact that this whole undertaking is more about what we get than the opportunity to liberate a people, region, or world of a mad dictator who is admittedly a bit different.

In the Bible, we are reminded that vengeance is God's. Our churches are full of people with vengeful hearts that seek their own desires and pet schemes rather than the valuing of human life. Yes, I said human life because it is culturally accepted, but in truth the life that we live is God's. It is His because He gave it to us; He breathed life into us; and He continually calls us to a higher brand of life than we currently are living. For me, the question that has emerged in this war initiative is the value of this life to God. How is it that America has been designated as the one in whom the responsibility for this effort has fallen? If we are truly a Christian nation, then shouldn't we be seeking the Lord's face in this endeavor rather than that of our pocketbooks? IN this sense, maybe we should take the Lord's words to heart (will that any of these should perish) in a literal, practical sense and not just a spiritual one.  

By going to war, we are undertaking the role that is Scripturally acknowledged as God's. I have recently shared with my congregation that our calling as disciples is to live a particular type of life, a life I referred to as the life of a worshiper. A life of worship is one where the disciple constantly seeks--a 24/7/365 kind of seeking--God's present and future glorification in their lives. It is through the desiring of what He desires that this type of life is lived. I cannot convince myself that God wants war. In my mind, I cannot get past the respect for life issue, and the God as avenger issue. Remember, the outlook of a Christian should be on God and not us or our circumstances. The people of Iraq and the Middle East are just as much part of God's creation as are we here in America. God values them and desires to care for them (His eye is on the sparrow) just as much as He does for anyone in America, England, or in any of the other allies ready to go and kick butt in Iraq. I want to personally put this more in God's hands and live a simpler life that is focused just on Him, and the life that He calls on me to live in community with His lost children. I hope that, whether one agrees or disagrees with the war effort, that those of us on whom God has descended will focus our minds and energies on Him and His desires, rather than our own individual or our nation’s desires.