While I was speaking near Juarez, Mexico recently, I was asked to bless the city. The request was coming partly from the violent circumstances of apparent execution-style murders that had taken place in that region. I've written two books on blessings, The Blessings Already Are and You Are the Blessings: Meditations and Reflections on Life, God and Us. In my work I often find that, indeed, "the blessings already are" and at times it is challenging to see those blessings. The circumstances in Juarez provide a good example.
There are situations working themselves out on the planet that don't come across in ways that are pleasant. I find that there are blessings present that require a high spiritual perspective, with heavy doses of understanding and cooperation, for us to see.
In looking at capital punishment, the law says, "If you murder, then we murder you." Violence begets violence. That requires a careful look on our part. When I'm able to get a good look -- a "God look," if you will -- I see the murderer as part of God's creation. And I love them, which I find to be very humbling.
Loving someone doesn't mean letting them do as they please. But if you strike at me, my love and compassion for you won't allow me to strike at you. There is a place in the Old Testament of the Bible where God declares, "Vengeance is mine." [Romans 12:19] I think that is God's way of telling us, "I'll take care of it." My point of view is that relieves me of striking back.
I realize the world doesn't need more violence. There is enough. The world needs more love. I know of no better way to live than to cooperate with the consciousness of loving, no matter how challenging. Somewhere within the person who acts violently is the seed of God. If my conscious awareness can't make the trip to that high perspective, I go by my faith and trust in God. I say, "I know you love this one also, Lord." I realize that's often not a popular point of view.
When Mahatma Gandhi stood up to injustice, he referred to his actions as non-violent. It didn't mean that what others did wouldn't involve violence. Violence was done to those involved with and supporting Gandhi and indeed eventually he too was murdered. It's not always pleasant when we face the violence in order to stop it. Dr. Martin Luther King faced similar situations with a parallel voice of compassion, and he, too, was murdered as have been others whose lives were dedicated to the causes of peace and harmony in the world.
In some way, I need to love murderers. We need to love murderers so they choose better options than to murder, before the murders happen. People often don't like hearing that. But if I want heaven on earth, the most direct way is to bring heaven to hell -- to the darkest places laced with the most negativity. It's both enlightening and powerful to go into dark, negative situations and come in the name of love.
A caution in the New Testament says, "If you take up the sword, you live by the sword, you die by the sword. And to the measure you forgive, you are forgiven." [Matthew 26:52, Luke 6:37] Those are choices. I choose to be in the business of forgiveness. So I do my best to send forgiveness to the city of Juarez and all those involved in the violence and murders.
There are times when I have cursed myself, called down condemnation upon myself, and even wished myself dead. As I look on those past actions I find I need to consider that in some way I then murdered myself." So I need to forgive, starting with myself and then extending it out as far as necessary, even unto the murderer.
If I look deeply enough, the pain murderers put into their own consciousnesses (which they will remember) can lead only to the vengeance which is the Lord's. I need add nothing. What is that vengeance? It's a teaching. It's as if God said, "You had better things to do. Do you understand now not to do vengeance?"
As those who forgive violence and injustice we must turn to love, which is humbling. I find even attempting that humility to be a blessing. The way I relate to that is through grace -- loving all things, loving all people and situations. That often means I need God's help. Call it a higher power, if you prefer. I need the higher power of understanding to show me the best way to respond.
My experience is the higher power I call God does just that, pulling me along and lifting me while God's will is done. There is a better way that leads to a better experience and better results in the world. Let us be about the business of making the worst become better and better until we relate to the worst as something to be welcomed and turned to the good.
Thank you for your treatment of the topics of love, forgiveness, grace, and spirituality. My greatest realization has been unconditional love. From this realization, I validated the existence of God for myself. Many do not believe that there is a higher spirit. Many do not believe in a higher authority other than the human authorities that humans define. Mukasey was a judge, good thing he is not God, for he has shown that he is not towards justice as an appointed authority for justice. He is feeble and flawed, where God is perfect.
What do I mean by unconditional love?
I love George Bush. Yet, George Bush has shown no love for me. I indict him for his crimes, for that is proper, but my love for him is strong. I have called for his arrest. Yet, I forgive him his transgressions, and I pray that he comes to realize the error of his ways, and thereby be transformed. I want him to reach his God-given potential -- which for all his accomplishments, he is nowhere near. He appears lost and corrupted.
As a youth, I had to do daily battle with racist cops and hopeless gangsters. Such is the plight of an innocent child growing up in an inner city war zone. I took a beating once from street gang members because I refused to join. I still love all of those men who kicked, punched, and attempted to terrorize me. I pray they are dong well.
The point as relates to this story?
Allow Randy Newman to elaborate on my point via his talent as an artist:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-202295579355110899&q=rabdy+newman+god%27s+song&ei=87mOSM-AN5_g4AKooODzBw&hl=en
If you know this song then you know my meaning. If you do not know this song, listen and you may catch my meaning. These are strange days indeed.
PS: Etta James does a version of this song that is actually more powerful than this version, but since Randy wrote the song, I posted his version. The accompanying video is apropos for this story as well.
Empty words or blessings are useless without some form of societal organization that is imposed to quell the existentialist societal threat. This is what Juarez needs, this is what Darfur needs, this is what Burma and North Korea and Afghanistan and even some regions of the USA need. Some parts of the world have the capacity to apply this organizational force. But others don't. You seem to have visited one that does not, and it needs help from the larger Mexican society.
I trust your faith is firm, and as an American you will spread this gospel at whatever personal expense to yourself.
I mean, if you believe what the book says, Jesus is going to give unbelievers an unbelievable ass-whooping when he comes back - and then send 'em to hell for all eternity.
Don't take my word for it. Read the thing yourself - or enjoy a night with Jonathan Edwards' "Sinners In The Hands Of An Angry God", or Martin Luther's diatribe condeming all the unwilling to convert Jews to hell.
As for not striking back when struck...that's cool. But let me tell you that if some unholy roller physically attacked my kid in my presence, I'd anoint him with a baseball bat, praise God.