Thought for Today
Genesis 4:8 Cain said to his brother Abel, "Let us go out to the field." And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel, and killed him.
Ecclesiastes 1:9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done; there is nothing new under the sun.
Isaiah 43:19 I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.
John 13:34 I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.
Who is right, Qoheleth or Isaiah? Is there nothing new under the sun; or, has God done a new thing? Hint: If you are a Christian, it’s a trick question! We believe God did a new thing in the Incarnation, Ministry, Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus, the Christ. And, Jesus reiterated God’s commandment from Leviticus 19:18 that we love one another.
I have mentioned that our youngest grandchildren are graduating from high school now. This is the season of proms, baccalaureate services and graduation ceremonies. Our oldest grandchild is pursuing graduate studies. Our children’s children are embarking on what I see as a ‘new thing.’ Like Robert Frost’s traveler “in a yellow wood,” they stand where two roads diverge. Metaphorically, their generation is looking down one as far as possible trying to discern which road to take.
Humanity, since the incident in Genesis 4:8, has generally taken the road most traveled, the road pioneered by Cain. Jesus warned of “wars and rumors of wars.” We have seen that played out repeatedly, in history and in the headlines of today’s news. Literally and metaphorically, we have traveled a well-worn road of misogyny, violence and destruction. We have fought world wars, civil wars (an oxymoron. What war was ever truly civil?), police actions and practiced general and sustained devastation.
There are 2 prominent and typical confrontations presently. Although much less prominent in the news in the U.S.A. currently, Russia is still invading Ukraine. Of course, Israel is still obliterating Gaza. Irrespective of causes and provocations, irrespective of one’s opinions, preferences or predictions, do you ever wonder what might happen were the leaders on each side to choose the road “less traveled by?”
What might our world look like had Adolf Hitler opted not to ignore his agreement with Neville Chamberlain? What would the headlines be in the media today had Vladimir Putin called Volodymyr Zelenskyy and said “We need to talk. Let’s do lunch?” Would there be peace in the Middle East had the leaders of Hamas contacted Benjamin Netanyahu and said, “Things are getting tense. Let’s hold a joint prayer meeting at our mosque or your synagogue?”
Imagine the Speaker of the House and the Senate Majority Leader meeting together and agreeing that the upcoming presidential debates would be orderly, civil and constructive. Agreeing that each presumed candidate would be given uninterrupted opportunity to present his view and his proposed agenda. Insisting that each candidate would be given uninterrupted opportunity to then rebut his opponent’s presentation. And mandating that whatever is decided in the November voting booths will be peacefully implemented, win, lose or draw.
Imagine a world where peace ‘broke out’ around our globe. That would certainly fulfill the image of Frost’s road “less traveled by.” I can imagine such a world. I pray that our grandchildren’s generation will be the one to finally break the pattern established by Cain. This Sunday, during worship, when we pray the Lord’s Prayer in unison, my mind will focus on the line “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I will remember Jesus’ words about the Law, "Luke 10:27 You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself." And I will remember the last line of Frost’s poem, “that has made all the difference.”
Stay safe, pray that better choices will be made, trust God,
Pastor Ray