Peace, Love, and Understanding
(Dedicated to the victims of the Las Vegas shooting)
Here are some of the lyrics from a song with that title penned by Elvis Costello:
“As I walk through
This wicked world
Searchin’ for light in the darkness of insanity.
I ask myself
Is all hope lost?
Is there only pain, hatred, and misery?
And each time I feel like this inside
There’s one thing I wanna know:
What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love, and understanding? Ohhhhh
What’s so funny ‘bout peace, love, and understanding?”
The truth is: it is not funny at all. It is sadly lacking in our world today. Everywhere I look I see people caught up in evil and going crazy on each other. Here is what I believe WILL change the world for the better: We have to see other people through God’s eyes. What would that look like?
- We would love each other despite our differences in politics, religion, ethnic origin, or any other prejudice.
- We would seek to understand those that are different from us rather than fear, hate, or judge them.
- We would put others before ourselves and learn to be givers instead of takers.
- We would truly care about people who are suffering, poor, widowed, orphaned, or in prison.
I know this may seem like the impossible dream, but if I don’t do it, who will? If I can set the proper example, then maybe those that God brings across my path will be inspired to love, understand, and be at peace with one another, but it has to start with me.
Shalom!
Dan Skognes
Beautiful words! Life is worth so much more.
Life is indeed priceless. Shalom! Dan