Both sides are determined to destroy their opponents, and do not seem to be concerned about the suffering of non-combatants.
But the challenge they face is whether they are for the life or death of the wider society. Those facilitating these talks must be hoping that all sides choose the path that leads towards life.
Sadly, the battles raging in Ukraine, Egypt, and the wider Middle East also look as though all involved are determined to destroy their opponents, whatever the cost to their wider societies. These appear to be struggles to the death, with no one prepared to shift towards a mediating position.
The choices between life and death could not be clearer.
Interestingly, Jesus reminded his followers that in the end, the choices we face are stark.'“You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it.' (Matthew 7.13-14)
This reality needs to inform the way we live today and every day. Everything we do, and the way we do it, either helps or harms those around us.
At the end of his long and testing ministry, Moses challenged the people of his day, with the same stark choice. '“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live! You can make this choice by loving the Lord your God, obeying him, and committing yourself firmly to him. This is the key to your life. And if you love and obey the Lord, you will live long in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 30,19-20)
May we all choose the life-facing difficult path today, and resist the easy slide towards the death-delivering slippery slope.
Best wishes,
Richard
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