November 2024

​Dear Church,

How can we stand in the gap between war and peace?

Many in our congregation may not have firsthand experience of living through a war, while our elder members can recall the hardships they endured. The church plays a vital role in teaching history and comforting those who are emotionally affected. As we reflect on Remembrance Sunday, two themes resonate deeply: war and peace. Beyond the first and second world wars, conflicts persist around the globe, including the ongoing violence in the Middle East and the Ukraine-Russia war.
Why do people fight? What drives their intentions? What causes wars and conflicts among us? Is it not often rooted in the selfishness that resides within our hearts? Greed, pride, envy—these are the underlying issues. Yet, Scripture reminds us that "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6). We are called to submit ourselves to God and draw near to Him, and in doing so, He will draw near to us.
The primary reason for war often lies in humanity's selfish nature - an insatiable desire for more, a lack of contentment with what we have. How can we transform this selfishness into selflessness? By looking to Jesus, who offered the ultimate sacrifice and achieved a profound victory for the entire world. God's gift of peace is embodied in Jesus. He reconciles us with God, and as we learn to share this gift, we become peacemakers and peace-givers. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God."
In an inspiring example, a church intervened in Mozambique, transforming violence into value. After years of conflict, the Christian community encouraged people to surrender their weapons, which were then melted down and repurposed into useful tools and machinery. Some weapons were even transformed into pieces of art displayed in exhibitions worldwide.
Similarly, when knife crime peaked in the UK, the British Ironwork Centre launched an amnesty campaign, requesting people to surrender knives used in criminal activities.The response was significant; some knives even bore bloodstains. These knives were shipped to artist Alfie Bradley, who created a stunning 27-foot-tall sculpture called the "Knife Angel," adorned with slogans of repentance and non-violence. This monument serves as a powerful reminder that, regardless of the situation,
repentance and restoration are always possible. Let us ask God to touch and melt down the stoned hearts and for this world to be blessed in His peace.

God Bless.
Amutha