Fighting

Today's Reading: 2 Chronicles 12-15, Psalm 100.

It seems as though fighting and war are going to be themes this week, as I can't seem to escape them no matter where I turn. I have a sort of e-newspaper delivered to me every day, one part of which includes comics. Yesterday's Calvin & Hobbes comic was:

We all seem to have a bit of fighting built into us, whether it be family feuds or, well, (if you believe it when we call each other sister and brother) bigger family feuds. On Sunday, we discussed during the sermon time about making peace the norm by praying for our enemies; this is with keeping in mind that probably every U.S. American under the age of 16 has never known a country out of war.

In further reflection after Sunday's worship I thought, we have already had one generation that was ultimately defined by war (also the Depression) and we are shaping up for another, as the lingering effects of these wars will no doubt weigh heavily into the future. The healing words of Azariah stand out today, after generations of battle between the people of God. What we have given to us is a peace based on forgiveness both of ourselves and of our neighbors; it is at the heart of our gathering time on Sunday mornings.

Go this day and forgive as you have been forgiven.