The Tragedy of War
Being a former United States Marine and a veteran of the Afghanistan war, I have a very different perspective, than when I first joined in 2002. I remember when the NYC Trade Towers came crashing down in my senior year of high school, and so many of us signed up to go fight the pending war. Almost twenty years later, there are people in our armed services that have fought in the Afghanistan War, and were born after the events of 9/11/2001. That is how long our country has been in a state of war! The war drums are still beating with our opponents today, with troops still in Syria fighting, and the American war machine is looking to pick another fight! The tragedy of war is that young men fight old men’s battles, and life is wasted.
Once upon a time, America had men of character that cared about the lives of Americans. Where are the mass voices crying out against the wickedness of our government? Where are the prophets, like the Jeremiah, or Elijah of old that cry out against leaders? Christians have to consider their place in this country as many of them are feeding their kids into the military grinder. Don’t get me wrong, as I am thankful for my service alongside my brothers in arms. I will say I question what the point of all this war and death was, except for lining the pockets of the war hawks in Washington D.C.?
I do not believe in pacifism, because as Ecclesiastes 3:8 says, there is a time for peace, and war. The justification for war is the righteous cause, and an example of such is World War 2 to fight against legitimate evil. If we are truly honest with ourselves, we would have to admit that there are no legitimate reasons to beat any war drums at the moment. The country is in massive debt, the economy is shattered, the people are broken, the government is utterly wicked, and most of all the spiritual condition of America is sickly.
The tragedy of war is that young men bleed and die, while others profit off of their dead bodies. Where is the glory for dying in a forsaken desert land? Where is the glory having your body in a long metal, flag covered casket? Where is the glory when you’re dead and forgotten in a few months’ time? The Antichrist is coming, but that doesn’t mean that we Christians shouldn’t raise our voices against the blood being spilt and wasted. Jesus himself said in Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Let us set the example that Christ set, and not be so willing to feed that hungry war machine. Let us realize that is a cost to war, and it is a cost that not many are willing to pay.
