"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of
compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your
place in God's family." (Matt 5:9, MSG)
Peace in a world
constantly at war is very trying.
Encouraging cooperation in
schools where students compete is quite difficult, but not impossible.
It all depends on the teacher's focus. Those who come through and
promote cooperation and peace with subliminal success are the ones who
never give up, the ones who have a heart after our Heavenly Father who
urges us to live in peace and cooperation. It's then that we are truly
part of God's family.
Who in their right mind would prefer to
promote competition and fighting within their own families? This would
be insane; still many do so, and they are the ones who end up fed up
with life. There is a much better way: promoting peace and cooperation,
creating a heavenly atmosphere, so that everyone can enjoy what we were
meant to be: A Godly family that will secure eternal rewards. It all
depends upon where our priorities lay.
A French journalist
decided to see for himself how Jews were treated in Paris. He disguised
himself as a Jew, with fringes and a kippa. A bodyguard was nearby, as
well as a cameramen who had his camera hidden in his backpack. Deep
down, this journalist was scared. As he went through a neighborhood
where women's heads were covered with veils, most people were shocked to
see him walking in their midst. Some avoided him, others looked at him
with contempt, others were scared. One little boy exclaimed: "Why is he
here? Doesn't he know he will be killed here?" A nearby merchant cried
out: "You should be ashamed! What are you doing here wearing a kippa?"
Herein lies the danger of coming to hasty conclusions: "All of these
people are filled with hatred! They should be exterminated!" Doing so
would put us at the same level of those promoting hatred.
Nonetheless, many in such neighborhoods would do anything to promote
peace and cooperation, saving those who many consider their enemies.
In January 2015, a kosher grocery market was taken over by
terrorists. Upon hearing the commotion and gunfire, one Muslim employee
turned off the stockroom freezer and hid several Jews inside. His quick
thinking saved the lives of these Jews, and they were quite grateful to
him.
In the same terrorist attack, four Jews found themselves
right in the middle of where the action occurred. They were unable to
hide, and they were shot. One immigrant from Morocco sure will miss his
Jewish friend. With sadness he stated: "I am Muslim and my friend who is
dead was Jewish. There was such respect between us. We were like
brothers!"
We can all live in peace. It all depends upon where
our priorities lay. It depends on our reality: love or hatred. Love is
truly the divine choice.
Rob Chaffart