Daily Self Growth Journal Pt. IV

War... What is it Good For?

“I am sorry for the man who can’t feel the whip when it is laid on another man’s back.”  Abraham Lincoln

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:  

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together, a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

Veracity:  “habitual observance of truth in speech or statement; truthfulness”  Dictionary.com

Remember the song War made famous by Edwin Starr?  “War... What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!”  Those words reflected the consciousness of many in the 60s and 70s.  It was a protest song against the Vietnam War and has continued to be a battle cry for anti-war activists ever since.  And we need to ask the question, “War... What is it good for?”  But is the answer, “Absolutely nothing?”  Not really.  I don’t think anybody really thinks that.  What we all hate, is the feeling of being used, abused, and hurt for no apparent reason.  Blood has been needlessly spilled in the history of humanity.  Wars have been waged without due cause.  And pride has foolishly hindered peace.  However, war has already been declared on us.  War was declared in the Garden of Eden when the serpent deceived Adam and Eve, convincing them that eating of the forbidden fruit would not actually harm them.  That was a lie.  How many lies are we being bombarded with today?  The answer is, more than one.  For some, the smell of a Burger King comes with the lie that, “A Whopper isn’t going to do any harm today.”  For some, “One last drink will be ok,” may be their lie.  And for others, hitting the snooze button one more time, may come with the lie that gets them fired.  You see, we are all lied to everyday.  We are confronted with truths that aren’t really truths at all.  They’re myths in the form of wisdom.  War is being waged on us as we speak.  So what good is war?  It’s good for saving our lives.  The Bible states in Ephesians 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.”  It’s easy sometimes to wave the white flag.  After all, acting a certain way, abstaining from certain things, could make us look like we’re trying to be better than others.  That’s a lie too.  “Flee the evil desires of youth, pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”  2 Timothy 2:22.  We are at war, in our hearts and minds.  Some choose to fight, some choose to surrender.  And it is the result of that spiritual war that results in our physical wars.  Lets pray that soon enough the words “War... What is it good for?  Absolutely nothing!” will be true.  Joseph Goebbels, the famed Nazi propagandist, stated that “Faith in ourselves will guide us to final victory.”  That’s the lie we all are dealing with.  It’s the lie at the root of all other lies.  It’s the lie that leads to war and death and hardship and suffering.  Please, let’s stop believing that lie.  Please, let’s start believing Jesus when He said, “I am the way the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father accept through Me.”  John 14:6

Daily Journaling Questions:

1.  How did I help someone in kindness today?

2.  What did I learn today?

3.  What am I thankful for?

4.  Who did I love today?

5.  What am I dreaming of?

6.  What about today do I want to remember forever?

7.  What are my goals for tomorrow?

Thanks for reading,

Jake