I haven’t written in a long time as I have been running all over Uganda, but today I have paused, struck by so many things – revenge being the most prominent. Israel, Gaza – seem to be caught up in it. Uganda and the LRA seem to be involved in it. Even aspects of the Congo. Revenge has been with us since the dawn of time and probably always justified with words and emotions. Human beings are smart and can justify anything.
I guess I begin to wonder if revenge is simply the easy way out when we are too afraid to seek after courage. I wonder where are the people in the world, the churches, the mosques, the synagogues, and temples that are reminding us that revenge has never really seemed to work so well in the past and so why do we think that this time will be different? Revenge only seems to lead to revenge which leads to revenge and so on. Revenge seems to only lead to pain and often violence.
Perhaps it’s time we try a different approach? Perhaps forgiveness might work better? What about turning the other cheek? Isn’t there something that we can learn from Tutu? From Ghandi? from Martin Luther King? from Jesus?
Thanks for this post. I found it really heartening and inspiring. You are right – revenge just seems to dictate, well more revenge. I think we can learn a lot from those that protest peacefully and yet forcebly through the strength of their character and integrity.
Thanks again.