PEACE!

They played each other yesterday: India and Pakistan.

The Championship Trophy cricket matches are on, between the world’s cricketing nations, India, Pakistan, Australia, West Indies, England, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and New Zealand. And yesterday the traditional rivals (in most things, not just cricket) played each other.

Once upon a time, India and Pakistan were considered one nation, and ruled by the British as such. The partition of those countries into predominantly Hindu India and predominantly Muslim Pakistan in 1947 created such animosity between the two nations that they have been at war with each other several times, and been on the brink of war more times than one can count. Posturing, accusing, quarrelling, fighting.

Even in cricket. Traditional rivals, both boast terrific teams that have fought for glory on the field. Usually these (war)games are conducted either in Pakistan or in India, with a partisan crowd packing the stands, patriotic blood boiling.

Yesterday’s game, however, was held in Centurion, South Africa, the venue of the Championship Trophy. Flags flew proudly—almost all of them the Indian tricolor, or the Pakistani moon-and-star. It was terrific to see both flutter alongside one another; the packed 22,000-seat stadium was ablaze with green/white/orange and white/green. The flag-flying hordes were, thankfully, completely peaceful, albeit raucous, for the entirety of the 8-hour match. Perhaps it was because it was played on neutral territory. Perhaps it was because to be anything but peaceful wouldn’t exactly be “cricket,” you know. (Maybe soccer!)

Anyhow, it proved that India and Pakistan can fight in peace!

If they can, surely we can, too—we who were redeemed by the Prince of Peace.

If possible, so far as
it depends on you,
be at peace with everyone.
Romans 12:18

But human nature is selfish, self-seeking, self-promoting.

Be in harmony with one another;
do not be haughty in mind ….
Romans 12:16

That’s the root of our problems. The self-focused flesh.

And so, when I’m offended, I’m gonna pay them back in their own coin. So there!

Never pay back
evil for evil to anyone. …
But if your enemy is hungry,
feed him, and if he is thirsty,
give him a drink ….
Do not be overcome by evil,
but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12:17, 20–21

What? Treat kindly those who oppress me? But what about my rights?

For this finds favor,
if for the sake of conscience
toward God
a person bears up under sorrows
when suffering unjustly.
1 Peter 2:19

But nobody does that? That’s impossible to practice.

For you have been called
for this purpose,
since Christ also suffered for you,
leaving you an example
for you to follow in His steps ….
1 Peter 2:21

But then who’s gonna take care of poor ol’ me?

… and while being reviled,
He did not revile in return;
while suffering,
He uttered no threats,
but kept entrusting Himself
to Him who judges righteously.
1 Peter 2:23

That’s the One who will take care of us—our heavenly Father.

I don’t know if the name of an adversary or opponent who has been giving you trouble comes to mind as you read this. Maybe one does. If so, would you take these verses to heart? Even seek ways to reconcile?

… walk in a manner
worthy of the calling
with which you have been called,
with all humility and gentleness,
with patience, showing tolerance
for one another in love,
being diligent to preserve
the unity of the Spirit
in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:1–3

Amen!

P.S.:India lost! There goes my peace!