I am attempting to explain or relate thoughts that may be very jumbled to you as a reader, so as those have said before, "consider yourself warned."
I just watched a really heart provoking documentary of Israeli, Arab, & Palestinian kids (Hereafter "I", "A", "P") (for those of you who netflix, it is called "The Promises Film Project"). It documented several years throughout their lives; asking them their thoughts and feelings on Politics/war/life surrounding them. I couldn't believe how soon the hatred began for some of them in relation to the other races and then how open minded and peaceful others were.
At one point the interviewer of the kids arranged a meeting among those who were willing. The kids played, laughed, and had a great time together and then in the evening of their day together, they talked politics. They all knew that things would change once they went their separate ways, and then cried.
Here's where I might lose you. So in pondering about the relations of the I, A, &Ps, I thought of relations in marriage-yeah-seems totally off topic, but bear with me. My marriage is not as explosive as the relations I'm talking about here (even though we've seen some fireworks (GOOD and bad fireworks if you get my drift, but mostly good)....I'm talking about marriages that have lost the love -see second link below-).
The A, I, Ps are related to each other more or less (we all are in the long run, in the very long run). They all claim Abraham as their father (do the 'P's?I need to check on that one). They all became angry with each other for one reason or another (the I's deserted the A's in Mohamed's time during a war, I's kicked everyone out after they've been "kicked" back out, way back in the day..yadda, yadda, yadda (I think that is yiddish....yadda I mean...). In any case it is hard to follow. Who hurt who first, who is really to blame, who deserves more punishment, who deserves to be reconciled, who deserves justice. When you listen to BOTH sides of the story, it is hard to feel like any one person deserves anything. Why can't they all just forget the past, let go of the hurt, kiss and make up and live life in peace? No really, why? Okay-I see why. Neither side is wiling to let it go. Change, as in change their own behaviors instead of focusing on the others faults, and love the other person. They think of a million excuses as to why it won't work, they don't trust- neither side has given the other reasons to trust. And in the end, they all kill each other (some just do it in uniform).
As we can see, the only person who will "solve" all this hatred is Jesus Christ. His atonement. Ah, but we hear that quite often, that response I mean-among Christians. But it is not used, or we don't quite understand how to use or keep using it to heal. Because this is huge. The wars and hatred I mean. The hatred is steeped in tradition (much like Laman and Lemuel telling their kids to hate the Nehpites- and in the end of that story everyone dies as well....except for the 400 years of peace..why? Oh yeah, Christ came and the people applied His atonement).
Have I lost you?
So the I,A, &Ps are like a husband and wife who for one reason or another now hate each other. And just like the I, A, & P's there are so many stories, traditions, sides; that no one can really tell who is to blame, shun, or side with. The sad thing is, this husband and wife feel much like the I, A, & P's in that the solution of peace is so far out of the picture that to them, it just won't work. Or peace is semi do-able, but actually "solving" the problem or ending the "problem" is impossible. That is unless they really, no really apply the atonement. Because if it really works. It is possible to heal.
Now, I am not an "I", "A", or "P", nor am I at the same explosive point in my marriage. So naturally it is easier for me to see the problem and the solution (note: not means to getting around to using the solution) than those in the middle east or in a sad marital state.
Here is the link: http://www.promisesproject.org/
Note: Only to those who know will understand why on earth I chose to bring this up.
P.S. Lyndon wanted to add this link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRo8N_ZNpjM
(Lyndon really likes this song...it always surprises me what songs Lyndon likes....but I think I like it too. Give it a chance, plus it's the Black eyed Peas, so it's supposed to be cool, right).
Love,
Missy
17 comments:
I do follow what you are saying and I know that it is really that easy, but I also know that letting the Savior work in your life requires a lack of pride and a willingness on both sides of the situation.
I followed you all the way through. I enjoyed your thoughts. When you're right, you're right I guess. It's just hard to get others to see that.
Well, I appreciate your thoughts and it is nice to know that people are taking an interest in the things that are going on in Isreal/Palestine. It is heartbreaking to know that things are still not improved that much in the past few years. I agree that the only true solution would be for everyone there to accept Jesus as their Christ and truly forgive. But there is one thing you may not understand about their cultures. With my experience with either side their idea of forgiveness is not the same as yours and mine. The eye for an eye concept truly still does exist and they have been brought up on it. Although some may say they could "forgive" I don't know if that has the same meaning for them as it does us as Christians.
The "P"s are from Abraham. I think that Obahma is the answer-- send him to the middle east with an acoustic guitar, organize a giant sing-in, and sing Kumba-ya around a giant bonfire. Anyone who chooses not to participate pays a fine.
I like you. And you are so very right. It all makes sense and is a lovely point, albeit a frustrating one. Oh, and you are pretty.
Wow. Deep. I enjoyed your thoughts! And, I agree. Maybe I should start thinking again about something besides how to get that darn urine smell out of the boys bathroom.
And, Julie, I laughed out loud when I read your comment!
Ah, yes, lack of pride...there's the ticker...that one is hard to get rid of.
Minda- you are so right on the eye for an eye thing. Good point that I didn't think about- I think Christians still want to live an eye for an eye rule as well.
p.s. There must be a willingness on both sides of the situation, true. I think that there is willingness, but it is deeply attached to what either side is not willing to give up (ie "being right", comfort, owning something...which all comes down to pride as "the bean" said)
So the questions is, "Is it worth it?" "Is a broken marriage, split home....or on the other end, dead family members etc. worth the cost of keeping your pride?"
Julie, If Jesus doesn't work for people, then yeah...maybe a sing along with Obama will.
(not to be sacreligious)
Interesting thoughts. When you started to relate it to marriage I immediately thought of the book given to us in our Wymount ward- The Peacegiver. Excellent book, and addresses this issue so well.
I don't understand it either, except that Satan is allowed to run around this earth, reeking havoc--and he's been doing just that for a long time. Can you even imagine a thousand years of peace?
Funny, last night I was watching a documentary too about another frustrating situation with no apparent solution--illegal immigrant children, so deperate to get to the US and dying right and left on their way, etc. But that's another topic!
I watched a preview of the film a few seconds ago, and I just see this little girl, so young, but so wrapped up (as well as the other children) in this world around them filled with all the problems you brought up. And when she wanted the children to meet, not politicians, but children...and she was speaking with so much emotion...that just got to me. I really need to watch the film now!
These children are so young, but at such young ages, have been carrying a burden that many of us have never had to bear. What a complicated mess they are in, and as you said, the solution is so simple...
You've given many of us something to think about...and your thoughts weren't as jumbled as you thought they might be!
I like your question...is anything worth the cost of keeping your pride? Very good question...especially in a marriage.
PS: I really liked the song too. Thank your hubby for sharing...
Who doesn't like the Black Eyed Peas? I love that song and bought the album because of it. Furthermore, singer Will-I-Am is in the latest X-Men movie. Great music and super powers.
I got lost on the first sentence!!...hahaha..just kidding!
I can see that some people really have much deeper thoughts than other people. Maybe it is time to get rid of James Bond and try for something a little more educational!
I loved your thoughts and comparisons. It is so hard for me to understand the "tradition" of hatred and fighting in some parts of the world but then I look at the hurts or misunderstandings that I hold on to and let drag out and I can get a glimpse of why those emotions and feelings are so damaging to a person's soul. Let them fester long enough and it becomes so deeply engrained that you forget life without it.
You are so profound...thank you for sharing!
nice thoughts...already covered in the miss-aimed muck, best of luck with the "great reconciliation". :)
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