Peaceful Presents
Micah 4:3
"…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…"
Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell
A beautiful image, but it's a lot more complicated than it sounds. I mean, let's say that an Israelite doesn't need his sword any more. What then? Go home, pull out the ol' hammer and anvil from the basement, and do a DIY repurposing of those old decommissioned weapons?
Probably not. You'd have to go to a blacksmith. Who, let's face it, could make more money beating plowshares into swords, war being so profitable and all. So you'd also have to convince him to put off other business to take yours. Which would probably require getting together a bunch of people who agree with you and proving to him that plows are profitable by spending your money on them.
If you really want swords beaten into plowshares you're going to have to work. You're going to have to pay and organize. You're going to have to convince other people, people like you and people who run businesses that do stuff that you can't do yourself, that peace is profitable.
Start with your Christmas list. Choose gifts that are made of renewable resources; that use less plastic (and therefore less oil); that are made by companies that are not also defense contractors. Come up with your own list of requirements for peaceful presents. Ask others for similar gifts.
It won't be enough to get Raytheon into the plow business, but it will be a start.
Prayer
God, I believe in your coming realm of peace. Help me to make it real—and profitable. Amen.
Micah 4:3
"…they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks…"
Reflection by Quinn G. Caldwell
A beautiful image, but it's a lot more complicated than it sounds. I mean, let's say that an Israelite doesn't need his sword any more. What then? Go home, pull out the ol' hammer and anvil from the basement, and do a DIY repurposing of those old decommissioned weapons?
Probably not. You'd have to go to a blacksmith. Who, let's face it, could make more money beating plowshares into swords, war being so profitable and all. So you'd also have to convince him to put off other business to take yours. Which would probably require getting together a bunch of people who agree with you and proving to him that plows are profitable by spending your money on them.
If you really want swords beaten into plowshares you're going to have to work. You're going to have to pay and organize. You're going to have to convince other people, people like you and people who run businesses that do stuff that you can't do yourself, that peace is profitable.
Start with your Christmas list. Choose gifts that are made of renewable resources; that use less plastic (and therefore less oil); that are made by companies that are not also defense contractors. Come up with your own list of requirements for peaceful presents. Ask others for similar gifts.
It won't be enough to get Raytheon into the plow business, but it will be a start.
Prayer
God, I believe in your coming realm of peace. Help me to make it real—and profitable. Amen.
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