Of War and Peace

There can be little doubt that human conflict and,
at it’s extreme, war, represents a flaw and ultimate failure
in the nature of mankind. A failure that reveals
itself with the constancy of the seasons themselves.

Thus, here we are once again, locked in conflict of
global proportions, for a time that no one but God
has wisdom to discern. All convinced their side
just, with justifiable enmity.

Perhaps it is by design that such lofty, perhaps
unattainable goals, as peace on earth and good
will toward all men lay somewhere beyond our grasp.
That it falls to us to fervently strive for them, placing
peace above the lesser aspirations of men, and having the
courage to place love above fear.

And yet it remains that evil and capriciousness are alive
and well among us all. And the human spirit remains
unrefined to perfection, across all borders and religions,
moving us toward our destiny as a civilization.
And while God is in control, and His Will shall be concluded,
still He allows our free will to propel us along our course.

This reality should drive us to our knees until
they are bloodied, in earnest seeking of the wisdom
of peaceful coexistence. Of God’s better way for us.
Of a better path to tread, before we destroy ourselves.
Surely this cannot be a wisdom that God withholds
from us forever, if we are earnest.

But until that dream is realized, when mankind is refined to
it’s better essence; and while we are still down on our knees,
let us thank God for the better angles among us.
Those who risk the most, and hate war most of all.
Those with the ability, fortitude, and bravery, to stand in
the gap between our children, and those who
would destroy them.

May God bless and preserve our soldiers and their families.