“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (‭Ecclesiastes‬ ‭3‬:‭1-8‬ NIV)

As I reflect on the above passages taken from the Holy Bible’s book of Ecclesiastes which have come up over and over again in my studies in the last month and then again this morning at The Church at Schilling Farms by Dr. Scott Payne, I am ever so reminded that there IS a time for everything. Dr. Payne grabbed hold of the second half of Ecc. 3 verse 8 which says, “[there is]…a time for war and a time for peace” to focus on today. Just as I have in the past become tongue tied as I have tried to express
to others that sometimes war IS what just has to happen as the judgment falls upon a nation or a people according to whatever situation has occurred. In my saying this it seems others can be so quick to assume that I may be hypocritically defending Gods biblical word because the bible also says things like, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (‭Matthew‬ ‭5‬:‭9‬ NIV). Some may even assume that the bible is contradictory to itself. Just as Dr. Payne expressed (oh how I wish I could express it with his same humility, wisdom and words) there comes a time when Gods patience runs out and His judgment must fall. “God doesn’t contend or compromise with evil” Dr. Payne reminds us. His judgment is perfect and right.

Thinking on this, I can see from a parenting perspective how I may have told my child not to do something repeatedly (which almost always I am requesting this of them because it is in their best interest, maybe more beneficial to them and possibly has a safety factor involved) and perhaps they go against my suggestions. Maybe they go against my repeated suggestions for them to alter their decision or direction. Maybe they go against my begging of them to choose something different. In the end the punishment or consequence just happens. It’s like gravity. Things are set in place and there is nothing I can do to stop what has already been set in to motion. You speed down a windy road…you get a ticket or in an accident and hurt yourself and sometimes others. It just happens. But, afterwards, most surrender, turn and give up their own ways and see that what they had chosen was the wrong path. Sometimes one doesn’t surrender but many many others around them who witness what is happening surrender to truth, goodness and righteousness.

I’m not saying that all war or disaster has anything to do with a judgment of a nation or a people…I don’t know the answer to that. But sometimes it is obvious that someone or someone’s are going against all morals of concern for humanity and repeatedly causing the torturous death of innocent children and adults in numbers too many to count. It’s a shame to me that our human labels on people as a group cause some of us to assume
all peoples of that kind are evil. Between you and I it seems extremely immature and irrational. I think of Ruth in the bible who was a cursed Moabite who turned from her families generation of wickedness and gave up her life to follow her mother-in-law Naomi back to Bethlehem (I think it was). Ruth’s honorable action of love rewarded her to be a woman who would carry the seed generations to follow of King David and eventually our precious Jesus Christ Lord and savior! All people who are labeled with human or cultural labels, are NOT evil always as we may think. While there are extremist in every group of people, I have witnessed all too often how many families are just like my own family moving through each day seeking to learn from each day, wanting to live in kindness and goodness although trials and difficulties may come to try and trip
us up…we are pressing on in life eager to find love, truthful spiritual understanding, connections to our creator, peace with others, and more freedom in our lives to devote to our friends, our families and the things we uniquely enjoy.

When disagreements between nations and people groups happen, is the answer violence and war?! I must take a stand and say it certainly isn’t ALWAYS the answer and violence shouldn’t be the first way of handling compromising situations but sometimes it IS necessary. We cannot stand by idly watching the unfair massacre of others happen just as we shouldn’t be sitting by idle knowing jillions of orphans need a home, billions of people have unclean water and no food and millions of families are without a safe place to call home.
I would also say it totally isn’t the heart of God or followers of Jesus to kill anyone however sometimes it unfortunately happens as He/we take a stand for righteousness. I believe God works through His people. In history, it seems to me that there has probably been war of some kind in most situations where an area of land ownership becomes an issue. American fought for it’s independence. Other countries have done the same.

It is unfortunate that so many lives are being lost. I humbly believe that in the end righteousness will prevail. I watch the news and read news articles about what is happening over the land around Israel. I think about all the displaced innocent people who have many years to even be considered as refugees ready and approved to flee to other countries to try and start their lives over. It would be an honor to meet some of these displaced people and a privilege if Asha’s Refuge were to ever have a chance to serve them
in the likeness of the love of Jesus. I pray on behalf of all peoples involved and pray even more that Gods people will be well taken care of, His light would shine in the darkness thereby growing His kingdom, that love and wisdom would be on their side and that the end would be quick. Soften the hearts of those who promote evil…that’s my prayer.

There is a time for everything. And right now, it’s my time, our time, to
stand bold speaking truth in love and PRAY.