Today, I woke up to snow on the ground! It’s April 18! This winter has been brutal and never-ending. It makes me think of C. S. Lewis’ line in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe that under the curse of the White Witch it was always winter in Narnia, but never Christmas. Will it ever end?
Actually, this winter has become an apt metaphor for how I feel about our culture of violence. Will it ever end? I’ve become so weary this Lent watching the continuation of violence in its myriad forms. This morning, I saw the trailer for Kung Fu Panda 2 and I groaned in my spirit. Yet again, we are marketing violence to children as comedy. Will it ever end? During Lent, our nation got involved in yet another war. Will it ever end? Last week, the US House passed a budget plan that actually increased defense spending while gutting funds for WIC and public housing maintenance. Will it ever end? Today, Tax Day, at least 30% of my taxes will directly support the killing of our enemies (and more than a few women and children who happen to get in the way). Will it ever end?
I read Isaiah 65:17-25 again. The answer is YES! God’s word is YES! The curse is reversed. The winter of violence will give way to Easter shalom. Nothing can stop it. Be glad and rejoice in what God is creating.
Tongue on Fire 