Do not take me away with the wicked
And with the workers of iniquity,
Who speak peace to their neighbors,
But evil is in their hearts.
Give them according to their deeds,
And according to the wickedness of their endeavors;
Give them according to the work of their hands;
Render to them what they deserve.
Psalm 28:3-4
Thought for Today: This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Christmas Truce of 1914. The British and German troops had been fighting for over four months when there was a stalemate, particularly on the western front. As such, both sides developed fortified systems of trenches, many times only 30 to 40 yards apart. Due to the close proximity, the British and German soldiers would often talk to each other from the trenches. On occasion, the British soldiers would bring cigarettes over to the Germans, who would give them cheese in exchange. All of this led up to a most amazing thing on Christmas Eve and Christmas day 1914: troops came out of their trenches and celebrated with their enemies. They exchanged stories of their families, exchanged gifts and even played soccer, Brits against Germans. At the stroke of midnight December 26th, those who were acting like old friends went back into their trenches, enemies again.
I particularly like the story of the Christmas truce because it shows the human side of war. Regardless of which side of the war you were on, you could come together with the other side and relate as human beings. How sad, though, that all of this had to end after the holiday. How difficult it must have been for the soldiers to fire into the enemy trenches after that magical truce.
Sometimes, we so want our "enemies" to get what they deserve. These "enemies" could be difficult people in our lives or enemies of the Lord Yet, we need to remember that they are human, have needs, wants, dreams and desires just like anyone. Like us, they too have a God-shaped hole in their hearts.
Is there someone that you have written off and don't want to deal with? Do you prefer to sit in the foxhole rather than venture out and call a truce? Will you today step outside of yourself and pray that the Lord would give you understanding and compassion for that person, that you might see the pain that is driving the behavior and know how to respond in love? Just maybe we can bring Jesus into the most unlikely place of all, the hardened heart that so needs His love.
