A few weeks ago Rusty and I watched “Blackhawk Down”. We didn’t plan on it- we were working on something and it just happened to come on TV. I considered changing the channel but thought I’d be okay since I’d seen it before…
I was wrong.
I’m not a big fan of violent movies. God has given me a strong gift of empathy, which means I feel pretty much everything. There’s a very real emotional pain I go through when I see others in pain. It’s hard to explain- but watch my face during a movie and you might start to understand.
War movies are even harder for me these days. Probably because of the 24 hours of ‘Field Training Exercises’ I did at Fort Benning a few years back. (That’s another story for another day- but let me say that if ‘walking a mile in a man’s shoes’ helps you understand him better, than running all day in 32lbs of body armor must have given me a pretty deep understanding!) Of course there’s also the difficulty that comes from having so many loved ones in the military. And then there’s a very different view of it all – the realization that just because certain people are considered “the enemy” – it doesn’t mean they aren’t human.
Now, I don’t know your views about war, or about “THE WAR” we’re in right now, and I honestly don’t care to debate that. I just want to give you a glimpse into my mind and heart as I was watching “Blackhawk Down” last Sunday.
I sat there watching the horror of that TRUE story played out on the screen in front of me and it broke me again…but this time, not just for the American soldiers. I saw the women and children caught up in the gunfire – some fighting as child soldiers– and I tried to imagine what it would be like to live surrounded by war everyday. In FEAR everyday.
And then- the scene shifted to the bloodthirsty Somalian men. Men who only wanted to kill and torture the American troops. Angry mobs with guns and RPG’s. Violent men full of RAGE
and HATE. And suddenly, instead of feeling all the emotions I thought I should feel towards those horrible men…my heart broke again.
and HATE. And suddenly, instead of feeling all the emotions I thought I should feel towards those horrible men…my heart broke again.
For the first time, God gave me His eyes for those we call “terrorists”, “insurgents”, “mass murderers”, and “enemies”. For the first time I realized – they are not the way they are because they are evil…
these men were once children who were never taught to love.
If you teach a child HATE, then HATE is all they will know to do. If I child is never loved or taught to love, how can we expect him to become anything more than a man full of RAGE and HATE?
Children who have no home are kidnapped and forced to fight as child
soldiers. Children who have no food learn to steal or use drugs to ease
their hunger pains. Children who have no parents are vulnerable to any
horrific ‘role model’ they see. Children who don’t know Jesus have no
hope.
soldiers. Children who have no food learn to steal or use drugs to ease
their hunger pains. Children who have no parents are vulnerable to any
horrific ‘role model’ they see. Children who don’t know Jesus have no
hope.
We are quick to judge others as “bad” or “evil”. We are quick to condemn our enemies for their violent acts. But today I have to ask…how much of this blood is on our hands? We know Jesus said the greatest commandment is to “Love one another”. We’re quick to quote that “Love conquers all”. But are we REALLY living out scripture?
There are over 150 MILLION orphans and vulnerable children in this world. Children who need a home, food, and parents to love them. Children who need to be discipled. Children who need be loved. Children who need HOPE.
Want to see “World Peace”?
Start by investing in it – one child at a time.
Give to The Sound of Hope
and help us care for children in Swaziland, Kenya, and India.
and help us care for children in Swaziland, Kenya, and India.
Other ways you can make a difference:
- Pray about adopting a child from overseas.
- Plan to take a mission trip to care for these children who need to be loved.
- Donate to Shoahannah’s Hope and help families trying to adopt.
- Pray for the Dean Family (who are waiting to adopt a little girl from China).
- Spend time with needy or troubled children in your community.
- Ask God what else you can do to make a difference!
i love your heart dear. i remember just being a mess during Tears of the Sun. so complicated.
love.
Excellent:)
Ericka-
Thanks for your heartfelt words and bringing awareness to the tragedies going on in our world. You are making a difference and I appreciate your voice. You have no idea how much it means to know that you and your friends are praying for our sweet Anna Grace. Thank You! April
You are SOME young lady!
While I do agree with a majority of your post i.e. child soldiers etc., I must say that not all war is caused by a lack of love. You said you didn’t want to debate the war in Iraq, and neither do I, however, that war is not about a lack of love. It is far more complex than that, frankly I don’t know anybody that knows the real reason for that war. Even the war in Uganda isn’t so much about a lack of love, but more about a power hungry, crazy person. War is very complex. Take a look at Vietnam, probably one of the most complex wars ever fought.
Mike- while I agree that war is complicated, I still think the ROOT issue is lack of love. Break it down to the bare basics: if Sadam Hussein, Osama Bin Laden, Adolf Hitler – and even some AMERICAN leaders were loved and cared for, had someone to believe in them, and were taught TRULY “to love their neighbor as they love themselves”…I dare say the world would be a much different place. I think there’s a reason Jesus said ‘love one another’ is the 2nd greatest commandment. The details may be complex, but at the end of the day I think it’s all still a heart issue.
Love you bro- thanks for the comment! 🙂
AMEN.