Think about it for a minute. I’m sure each of us can come up with a name of somebody affected by the conflict in Lebanon. Even if we don’t know of someone firsthand, we probably know someone who knows someone.

One of my students was planning to fly home to Lebanon with her husband and two boys today. Obviously this won’t happen given the current climate. After sending a text message (SMS) to see if they were safe, she responded with mixed emotion. Joy over being safe from the bombs that are ripping apart southern cities, Sadness over extended family innocently trapped in a conflict they didn’t ask for. In her words, “It’s so sad, Lebanon is getting destroyed and we can’t do anything…”

Maybe we can – do something…

Maybe I can make a difference to this situation. Maybe I can talk about peace while others around me talk up war. Maybe I can emphasize the areas of agreement, rather than focus on the differences. Maybe I can become an advocate of peace in this and other situations. Maybe I can pray for peace to the King of peace.

God, bring your peace, the peace that surpasses all other peace into this situation. I pray this for the glory of your name and for the sake of the innocent. Amen.