Where are the Peacemakers?

I am finding the latest war in Lebanon really disturbing,
and we have not seen half of it.
Our television shows the F16s,
and the rocket launchers,
and the rubble,
but we do not get to see the bleeding bodies
or the children with limbs blown off.
That would disturb the peace and comfort of our living rooms.
Europeans piling onto escaping cruise ships make better television.

I wonder what is on God's heart.

I can understand why so many people want to get out of Lebanon,
but it is also rather sad.
When the going gets tough, the Westerners get going.
The problem is that when good men and women leave,
evil has a free hand.

I am an idealist.
I cannot help wondering what would have happened,
if 10,000 European and American Christians
had moved into southern Lebanon for their summer holidays.
There is plenty of empty accommodation
and the climate is good.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God (Matt 5:10).

I wonder what would have happened,
if they were spending the summer
in worship,
prayer,
serving
and blessing those who suffer.

Israel would have to be more careful with its war machine.
The Lebanese economy would have got a lift.
The hearts of Hezbollah might betouched.
The Middle East might be amazed,
and God might show up.

I suppose that some Christians might have got killed,
but according to our religion,
they would go to heaven.
They would not get virgins,
but that would be better than Lebanese children
who have never heard the gospel being killed.

I wonder if the Spirit was calling
the sons of God several months ago,
when airfares were still cheap,
to go
and stay
and be blessed
as peacemakers in southern Lebanon.

It is too late now, but ...
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they shall be called the sons of God.

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