Going Cheap

I am like many of you who have watched that elusive gift of peace disappear further and further into the future. In my little life, I had hoped that we might actually have managed to achieve some semblance of stability. The sort that we enjoy here in Australia. That we might spread it around and help towards a healthy ceasefire or at least some helpful negotiations that might make way for a cessation of hostilities, the return of hostages, the just and equitable sharing of our generous resources.

But it is not so. We need to be honest about that. ‘Us vs. them’ is still the order of the day. The images in our lounge are graphic and instant, and this, I think, only feeds my disappointment. When did my appetite for fear and anger become so ravenous? Have life and property always been so expendable? A quick flick through the pages of any history book will say ‘Yes’. It’s always been this way. But we know better now… don’t we…??

Part of the quandary is that we have heavily discounted the value of human life. It is inexpensive and plentiful. The light of the Christmass story that is peeking over the horizon once more should remind us that all human life is sacred and the skanky pub is the place where God lives. Our church has plenty to say and loudly about how the squashing of another’s life is not acceptable. Thou shalt do no murder is one of our top 10 biggies.

From my desk and through my eyes, all life is of infinite value. To be cherished, enhanced and enjoyed. I deeply appreciate the pull of retribution and revenge, but… it is time. We’ve tried an ‘eye for an eye’, ‘brother for a brother’. We’re tired and it's time to do things differently.