Cross thoughts: Christian ideas seen in Sudanese every day life.
Since Mohammed Ali Pasha led (Turkish) Ottoman armies into Sudan around 1820, through Anglo-Egyptian invasions in 1896 and 1898, to Independence in 1956, followed by 50 years of Civil wars, then skirmishes around voting for the two Sudans in 2011, there seems to be unstoppable fighting in “recent” history of this part of Africa. And this is to say nothing of the inter-tribal conflicts which have raged and subsided, before raging again throughout.
Is there any way to build peace in a war zone? The first thing to say is that it is not a geographical area that chooses to go to war! Wars are fought between human beings, often those who want control over the same (disputed) area.
What did Jesus mean when he said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God”? Matthew 5:9. Every Christian is certainly urged to be a peacemaker by our Lord. No Christian or group of Christians should ever start a fight.
God’s peacemaking, between himself and us, involved reconciliation through Jesus Christ on the cross. Colossians 1:19-20. Reconciliation is one of the tools for peacemaking.
It is helpful to meet someone if you are to be reconciled. Listen to each other and seek to understand what the other person needs. Try to help the other get what he needs, as an expression of your love for him (something Jesus said we should have for our enemies, Matthew 5:44). It may be that his greatest need is forgiveness from us, something we must not withhold from him Luke 6:37.
Peacemaking is a costly work. It cost God himself, as Jesus on the cross. We must be willing to count the cost (and then to pay it ourselves) Luke 14:27-35. It is also a work God supports. When we do it, we will be sons of our Father in heaven,Matthew 5:9. We have his resources!
A peacemaker is not a passively peaceful person, but an active reconciler of people, James 3:17-18. His is a doing job, not a do-nothing job. It is tough work, not easy money! Peacemakers, not warmongers, have God’s approval! God works through his available people.
Do all this along with prayer. Praying to God, humbly and with a holy heart, shows we realise all our work still needs him to work, for it to succeed. 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
In Africa and our Sudan it must be better to spend money on bread, not bullets; on tractors, not tanks; and on water irrigation, not warplanes. As Christians, let’s lobby our leaders, all the way from local to national level, and get them following the priorities we want.
Do all this along with prayer. Praying to God, humbly and with a holy heart, shows we realise all our work still needs him to work, for it to succeed. 1 Timothy 2:1-3.
April 2012.
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