Mercenary of Love's War

What will be our solution to the problem of war when the cost in human life and suffering has outpaced our desire to make the world after our own image? 

There may be a solution that allows us to have our wars and save our own skin as well, at least that’s what the military contractors want us to believe. They will be happy to sell us their newest solutions. The military has been testing several interesting war innovations throughout these last two wars. The most fierce and impressive war tool has been the addition of "predator drones" (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles). 

In days past, kings and political leaders routinely hired mercenaries to fight wars when their people were not willing to shed their own blood. Mercenaries had no opinion of the hostility engaged in- the bottom-line was personal gain- i.e. “It’s just a job” (a job they were very good at). When you stop paying a mercenary, the mercenary goes elsewhere. If your enemy can pay him better, he switches sides in the conflict.

Drones are the modern equivalent of ancient mercenaries. For an investment of a few million dollars, drones will do your killing for you. Of course, in the arms race, if your enemy can afford drones, these disinterested robots will gladly serve them as well. The Dr. Frankensteins who build these new monsters are happy to write up a contract (or to direct their war machinery through some other friendly nation when their own neighbors show concern).

Wouldn’t it be better if we would come to a place in history where we question war altogether? I love this quote: “Any intelligent fool can make bigger things, more complex things, and more violent things. It takes a touch of genius- and a lot of courage- to move in the opposite direction” (E.F. Schumacher).

Perhaps there’s just too much money to be made in the bigger, complex, and more violent things. Perhaps there’s just too much fear circulating about to try another way. Perhaps there’s too much pride in earthly power and preeminence to have it any other way.

With a touch of spiritual genius and courageousness that cost his very life, Jesus dreamed of a better world: “Love your enemies. Do good to them.” It’s not a flashy war motto, that’s for sure. There are no medals given in love’s war. It’s a battle few enlist in and fewer value enough to lay down their lives to win. Frankly, embracing such a posture may lead to a personal cost that is just too high a price to pay for earthly kings and kingmakers.

As Kingdom people, loving our enemies and doing the hard work of peacemaking not only honors the King of Kings, it also underscores the value of human life and dignity everywhere. I want to be a mercenary of Christ's love. I want to be the kind of person who offers practical love and works for peace with all sides in every human conflict. I want to work for the kind of world Jesus dreamed of. Jesus asks that I might not live according to the principles of this world but according to that love which keeps its eyes fixed on the world to come.

What do I gain by enlisting as a mercenary of Christ's love? I gain Christ and the his coming world.

This picture is a caricature of those christians who seem to embrace violence as a solution to our world's problems. The atheist blogger mockingly depicts what many people believe about christians in America
 (From- www.loljesus.com- "Dedicated to Damnation")

Interesting Links:

A story on Lockheed's Truck Drone 

-One would think that kids who now spend their youth playing video games will be the future military recruits. Instead of sitting in front of a television or computer playing “Call of Duty,” they can actually sign up for duty and play a real war game.

President and General Dwight Eisenhower's comments about the "military industrial complex"

Eisenhower's Presidential Farewell and Warning