God as non-violence. If you have any comments - adebelak@redeemerluth.com [mailto:adebelak@redeemerluth.com]It is essential that we turn toward one another - walk alongside - look into each
other's eyes - touch - and, by that, risk living within a non-violent world. It
is essential that we do not turn away - look away. God as non-violence is a presence
that keeps the 'other' close by and ready to be someone we are willing to engage.
Otherwise, we will simply push them away and that pushing so quickly takes the shape
of one form of violence or another - from striking out - to name calling. It is
all violence and it is all contrary to our God who is endlessly inspiring life in
which love rules and hatred and separation become weak. Personally, I do not do
this 'turning toward' the other very well. I do not like that part of me. And yet,
God as non-violence does not let me reside in my world of fear where I come to think
that I cannot live without violence of some kind or another. Like so many aspects
of God's Reign, non-violence is a character of life that is at hand in every 'now.'
It is the way we can be available to others. It is not impossible. In fact, it
is so necessary, our God never ceases to open our eyes to see the other as God see
him/her. It is in all these moments that we must breathe in the freedom to see people
with new eyes - eyes that inspire us to turn toward the other no matter what might
be the situation at hand. Non-violence is not easy.
O God of love and new life, the road often seems to hard to travel. Again this
day, inspire us to take another step into the depths of your Reign. Amen.
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