“. . . seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14)
August 14 was the day Japan surrendered and WWII ended, and what a glorious day it was. Although only a child, I remember it well. I climbed into the back seat of the family’s sedan, and off we went to downtown Birmingham. The sights along the way were amazing. People came out of their homes and businesses, met on the sidewalks, hugged each other, and shouted with joy, many danced in the streets. The joy was unbridled. On the way, I saw one heavy-set woman lying on her front porch, rolling back and forth, praising, and thanking God.
Downtown was a mess. The streets were filled with cars, bumper to bumper with people blowing their horns. People were shouting and waving at each other. The ticker tape thrown from the buildings was so thick it looked like a snowstorm.
Great joy naturally followed the hard war years during which Americans sacrificed. Almost every home in America had a family member in the military (husbands, sons, daughters, uncles, and aunts). The war took the lives of 291,557 Americans. It was the costliest one in our history.
Jesus said as long as the world stands, there would be wars (Matthew 24:6-8). However, he did not say we (Americans or Christians) had to be involved in all of them. On the contrary, He tells us to seek peace and pursue it (Psalm 34:14). Let us pray for peace and for leaders who will pursue peace, not war.
Dr. Robert Wilkerson is a minister, writer, and founder of People for the Christian Way, an organization whose mission is to encourage all people to practice Christian principles in business, politics, and every area of life. drbobwilkerson@bellsouth.net, www.people-for-the-christian-way.org
