President Assad of Syria, and his military authorities, have chosen the route of violence in order to address the disaffection within their nation. Brutal repression is their chosen weapon of negotiation, believing that they will succeed in bringing about a change of heart and mind in their citizens. He seems to believe that 'might is right', and that all will be back to normal in time.
In many smaller ways, most of us know from personal experience that the 'might is right' approach is widely chosen as the way to sort out conflicts in families, between friends, at work and elsewhere. Of course, we all know that this form of conflict resolution does not work. What is needed is a change of heart from those engaged in the conflict.
The New Testament has a story of another man set on violence in Damascus, whose heart was changed.
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of the Way he found there. He wanted to bring them—both men and women—back to Jerusalem in chains.
As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9.1-6)
The mercy of the living Jesus, who himself had been victim of the 'might is right' approach, brought about a change in Saul's life. We too need Jesus to change us, so that we may know a new way to address conflict - within ourselves, with friends and family, and so we may find peace with God.
Best wishes,
Richard
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