new territory for this mind

[Nathanial] I have recently finished reading Shane Claiborne’s JESUS FOR PRESIDENT. To Claiborne’s credit, he certainly brings a unique persective. The thing I have been wrestling most with since concluding this read, partnered with other current scenarios in my life, is basically how Jesus would have reacted to the “Support our Troops” approach of today.
I think it is obvious that the ideal world without war and conflict is preferred, but that is not the reality we live in. There is infact war and conflict going on in our world. As a result there are people fighting, and even defending, in these conflicts. So how would Jesus approach today’s reality if He walked this planet today?
I guess the reason this has flared up in my life is due to the fact that I have a close friend departing for basic training in one of the military branches. I find myself in conflict with some of Claiborne’s approaches because I feel like I am abandoning my friend and his family. Now comes the age old question of; is it possible to support a person, but not the action?
Perhaps i am being a bit too fantasy-like, but i feel that military personnel deserve respect and honor. The act of sacrificing one's life for a cause is quite admirable. And yet, I continue to wrestle with aligning myself in a Jesus like fashion to this issue.
As i continue to search, please join me in praying for those in conflict around the world. Regardless of where one stands on the spectrum of this issue, prayer is one form of love we can all express. שלום.