Peace and love to all

I really appreciate what you write here about there being a better way than war. I’d like to share some thoughts that I’ve gleaned from my experience as a soldier in combat. First, I think it is important for our soldier’s to know that we appreciate what they are doing and that those that are serving this country over seas and engaged in combat operations can do so with full confidence that they are never out side of God’s reign.

I, like many other young men and women have felt a strong pull to serve in the military and in doing so have learned so much about myself and ultimately my relationship with God. As a Platoon Leader in Baghdad, I was leading 30 Soldiers in combat operations everyday for a year. To say the least I came to terms with the question “is there a better way than war”. Of course the answer is yes, however I found that this answered does not necessarily mean we take no action in the face of what appears to be evil.

While deployed to Iraq, I studied and sought some peace in my thought about the duties my platoon was carrying out each day. As has been the case in each aspect of my life when I turn it over to God, I was not left comfortless. One of the ideas that I worked with was being able to do my duty without suffering mentally or physically. Two Bible stories were helpful in this spiritual freedom. First was the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo and how they, through their understanding and trust in God, walked out of the fire without even the smell of smoke on their clothes. The second was the story of David and Goliath. What struck me was that David, again having his full trust in God, stood and faced the Goliath problem. He countered evil right where it stood and was victorious. What started to dawn on thought was that when we are acting in Truth and Love we succeed in the endeavor.

I found that it was helpful to look at how Mary Baker Eddy uses Principle and Love together so often in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures. With out Principle, love would be indulgent, permissive, negligent and self-centered. With out Love, principle would be harsh, unforgiving, intolerant and cold. The reality is that God is divine Principle, Love which is pure, complete and balanced.

I think we need to be careful not to stand on the platitude of love, but instead stand firm on Truth and Love in demonstrating that understanding. It is important to stand up to evil or error every time, at every turn with out fail. It would not be our best work if we only went as far as saying God is All-in-all but did not demonstrate that by dealing directly with a Goliath type problem. I think Mrs. Eddy says it well in Science and Health on page 268, “Materialistic hypotheses challenge metaphysics to meet in final combat. In this revolutionary period, like the shepherd-boy with his sling, woman goes forth to battle with Goliath.” Christian Science has opened the door to Truth, Love and Principle and we gain ground as we demonstrate this understanding.

I told a young Soldier before he was deployed to Baghdad for the first time this summer, to remember three things. First, that no matter what this material view throws at you, or what your eyes tell you is real, God loves you and causes your very being. Second, you can do what it is your duty to do without fear when, like David, you recognize that God is your source of life and nothing can last that tries to defy God. David rebukes Goliath in I Sam. verse 45 when he says to Goliath, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied.” Last, you cannot kill God’s man. You can only destroy the false error.

It would be my hope that each of us deals squarely with evil, and that those who are currently deployed or going to be deployed gain some peace as they experience the challenges of being at war, turning to God and the Divine Comforter to better demonstrate Principle, Love.

Thanks for your insightful comments! You are right. Anger, ill-will and hate create a lot of “heat” around the world only escalating the very problems we’re trying to solve. Establishing a peaceful state of thought, by loving more and hating less, goes a long way to finding practical solutions to everyday problems, including the global warming concerns. I’m glad you’re on the spiritual side of the debate! For your perspective makes a positive healing difference.

Thanks

Amen! We all can make a difference. Why wait??

Yes, yes, and I’m happy to be out here where the action is loving one neighbor after the other, just like you, and millions of others around the world are doing, until every last vestige of hate, anger and ill-will is dissolved and replaced with love, compassion, and forgiveness.