James Duff July 31st 2016 ~ Stopping Terrorism

Early in the morning on a Thursday, after dropping my oldest boy at the bus station, I head for Cottesloe and tune my radio dial into 6PR breakfast.  I find it easy listening as the topics Basil Zempilas and Steve Mills address - and the banter they engage in - rarely stretches my brain too much as I prepare for another day.  I often find myself laughing out loud in my car at their antics and comments as I lurch along in another traffic jam on Stirling Highway.  I like these guys, they share an obvious love for each other, and always engage with people who ring in or guests they interview, with respect and goodwill.  This Thursday just gone, however, I found myself saddened and a feeling of hopelessness swept over me as Basil and Steve engaged around the very serious subject of terrorism.Earlier in the week, I woke up to hear from my son of another violent terrorist attack in France.  This time an elderly priest had his throat slit as he presided over communion.  The attackers involved claimed allegiance to ISIS.  This particular atrocity hit home as my son suggested, with some fear, that this could happen to me.  As the world gets smaller due to technology, the events of far off countries seem closer than ever; Zempilas and Mills deliberated about how it seems that each morning we awake to the news of a fresh terrorist attack.  These two talk-back announcers vented their frustration and were desperately looking for solutions to bring this type of behavior to an end.  Suggestions such as banning the internet, not broadcasting the attacks and a rousing piece of rhetoric from Mills suggested that each person worldwide doing two acts of love a day would halt the problem.As I reflect about this massive issue, I am struck by a sense of powerlessness for us to do anything to stop it.  Would any of Zempilas’ and Mills’ suggestions help?  Could any of the suggestions actually occur?  I personally don’t think so to both for a myriad of reasons.  The seed of terrorism is in deep.  In the Bible, Jesus and the apostle John teach that the world will actually become a more violent place before the return of Jesus.  So at one level for the Christian it is not a shock to witness rising terrorist attacks; but at another level it is the most shocking of shocks as God’s creation, that he made in His image, is being violently destroyed.Jesus also teaches that his followers will be seen as the enemy to many, but we are called to love our enemies and those who persecute us.  I believe that it is only as people turn to Jesus through repentance that terrorism will completely stop. Will this happen?  Ultimately it is up to God.  To even suggest this as a solution will result in much scorn, ridicule and persecution for the Christian.  What can we do then?  Pray! This is where it begins.  Prayer is the only weapon the powerless have.  Before He returns to bring complete peace, He will use us to be part of His kingdom coming now.  We should engage with the world in ways that may help in lessening terrorism and also not to be silent about our convictions. Ultimately it is only God who can entirely stop terrorism for the seed is in deep and only the prince of peace can take it out, so keep praying!  Come Lord Jesus.Blessings,James