College is a time when we are supposed to learn to think. We often learn more about ourselves and figure out where we stand politically. For many of us, it is the first time we see ourselves separately from our families enough to be able to decide where we stand on a lot of issues. Protests are normal on campuses. Right now, campuses are seeing a lot of unrest and causing clashes with police and shut down classes. Some of the incidents are anti-semitic. Some students want their college to cut ties with any businesses that are profiting off the war with Hamas. Many students want to see a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine.
The problem we have with these protests, is not that they are happening. The United States was created because we protested the way we were being treated by England. It is the foundation of who we are to protest when we see something we want to see changed, to say something, but we are not leaving room for others to disagree peacefully. We are not remaining noncombatant. That is where the police have the right to come in and arrest people. That is where injuries happen. Violence has become the expectation.
The sad part is that it is not just college students that are vandalizing college campuses and endangering people that intend to be peaceful. Many times outside groups are showing up and changing the dynamics of these protests.
Lack of self-discipline betrays passions.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world.”
John 16:33
This is where I try to live, but I can’t say that I understand the world I live in. I read The Old Testament and I can’t say I understand it completely clearly either. God is very different before Jesus came to offer grace and salvation.
I have read a lot about the war in Gaza. I don’t understand what it must be like to live in the Middle East. Even when war is ceased, it could happen at any moment. The unrest must be stifling. There are whole groups of people that do not accept that Jesus is the Son of God and they are still held to the standards of the laws in The Torah, or The Old Testament, as I know it. Those standards are impossible and that is why God sent Jesus for anyone that would accept Him. This is easy for me to accept, because that is what I have believed for most of my life, but there are people in Israel that only live by The Torah, in fact, their only job, to study The Torah.
The expectations of their life must be so different than mine. There are some great stories in The Old Testament, but there is a lot of war and lamenting and law in there too.
I have made no opinions about this war because I have nothing to base my opinion on. The people in Israel live such a different life than I do. They have different expectations, beliefs and purposes than I do. The government in Palestine is not strong, they have allowed Hamas to take over and keep them in destitution and control their people. Israel does not want to control them but they don’t want to be terrorized by them either and both countries share religious sites but access is not permitted. There is no peace and no one to lead them to peace. Historically they are brothers but they hate each other.
A long time ago I made peace with the concept that I will never be able to understand everything about God. It is easy for me to file some things under this belief. But I am still concerned because death of innocents is always sad. Pointing fingers always ends up back in my direction because judging does that. So following the money will bring us home and that makes me feel sick.
All I can do is pray. I do know, and I apply this belief in more than one scenario, that God loves His creation. He loves each of us and we are never without Him. I know that He is with us and comforts us to the end so even though it hurts my heart to hear of the deaths of civilians and the mourning of families, I know that God is there too. Because He knew that when he created humans He knew that our lack of self-discipline would always betray our passions.
Read More:
- Arrests roil campuses nationwide ahead of graduation as protesters demand Israel ties be cut by Carolyn Thompson and Margery Beck for Associated Press, Sunday April 28, 2024
- What the pro-Palestinian protesters on college campuses actually want by Matt Egan and Ramishah Maruf for CNN, Friday April 26, 2024
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My name is Summer. That is how you can call me. I hope that I am a blessing to you. I am not perfect. I will fall again. But I am forgiven. For anyone reading this that isn’t a Christian, unapologetically, I am a Christian, but I believe there is room for lots of beliefs and religions in the world. It is not my intent to offend people with different beliefs than I have and I would be open to open-minded conversations with no goals of changing anyone’s mind, but sharing information. If you are interested in becoming a Christian…Do you know Jesus? Do want the Holy Spirit to fill you and give you understanding and salvation? Ask Him. Want someone to pray with you? Contact me.
If you would like to know Jesus as your friend, but want to make this amazing commitment by yourself please pray something like this: Thank you Jesus that You are the Son of God, the God that created heaven and earth. Thank you Jesus that You came to earth in the form of a man so that You would be able to empathize with my humanity. Thank You that You did this in order to fulfill the promises You made at the foundation of the world. I realize that I am a sinner and do things that hurt myself and keep myself away from you. Thank You that You died for my sins so that You could defeat death and bring me into Your life. Please forgive me. I ask You to be Lord of my life. I ask you to heal my hurts and show me what my new life, empowered by You looks like. Thank You for Your mercy.
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