Territorial Disputes (03/01/2025)

This morning as I brought in the day on my screened porch, I was front row for a local territorial dispute between the chickadees and a nuthatch who were claiming a particular tree as their own. They were quite vocal as they hopped about the trunk. Territory is important, it seems, on every level in our world. As I watched, I couldn’t help but recall the scene from yesterday’s encounter between the US president and vice-president and the president of Ukraine. Why, in this vast world, is there not enough for every living creature?

I found myself, inspired by my feathered neighbors, to speak to the LORD about this very topic in my morning prayer. I prayed for peace. I prayed for respect for one another. I prayed for a spirit of cooperation rather than competition. I prayed that our world would someday get it right and live in harmony as the LORD’s original divine design intended.

The LORD created from love, through love, and in love. Love is woven throughout our world and within all of us. And the one command we are given is to love: love the LORD, our creator, with all our being and love one another. I admit it isn’t always easy, but it is simple.

This week, we begin the season of Lent on Wednesday. I know my prayer for the season this year, for peace in our world, for the peace that our Savior came to bring and longs for us to claim. But I also know that it isn’t just a “prize” to claim. We all must be instruments of that peace. Our loving savior taught us that it begins with love, love not just for those who like us and treat us well, but love even for our enemies. Simple, as I said, but not easy.

But it also involves respect and accountability. We must be people of mercy as our LORD is merciful, for the LORD reminds us that “the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” (Luke 6:38). What am I measuring out in the midst of tension and conflict? What am I measuring out when I have been hurt? Is it mercy and forgiveness in the quantity I myself desire from the LORD?

I will continue to pray the Prayer of Peace daily and to seek the LORD’s grace as I commit to being an instrument in this world. I will linger over the words:

“Grant that I may never seek so much

to be consoled as to console,

To be understood as to understand,

To be loved as to love.”

Will you consider joining me? We have been taught for centuries that we must pray for peace. Let us do just that this Lent.

Until tomorrow, let us all love well.