TENSION

From My Perspective - - -

Tension is a current experience in the world and in individual lives. The most recent news about events in Mumbai (Bombay), India is an example. Once it was learned that those responsible for the attacks were being trained and coordinated by leaders in Pakistan – tensions heightened and other nations have attempted to intervene to lessen tensions between two nuclear nations. An article in today’s International Herald Tribune states: “Fresh evidence unearthed Thursday by investigators in India indicated that the Mumbai attacks were stage-managed from at least two Pakistani cities by top leaders of the militant group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Indian and American intelligence officials have already identified a Lashkar operative, who goes by the name Yusuf Muzammil, as a mastermind of the attacks. While Muzammil appears to have served as a control officer in Lahore, Pakistan, Lakhvi, his boss and the operational commander of Lashkar, worked from Karachi, a southern Pakistani port city, said investigators in Mumbai…”

Meanwhile, The Jerusalem Post has been reporting: “The IDF is drawing up options for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that do not include coordination with the United States, The Jerusalem Post has learned. While its preference is to coordinate with the US, defense officials have said Israel is preparing a wide range of options for such an operation. It is always better to coordinate, one top Defense Ministry official explained last week. But we are also preparing options that do not include coordination. Israeli officials have said it would be difficult, but not impossible, to launch a strike against Iran…” Tensions between nations are stimulated by the desire to survive and exist.

On Monday, the Christian Post reported a finding on the tension within ethical values of young people today. They report: In the past year, 30% of U.S. high school students have stolen from a store and 64% have cheated on a test, according to a new, large-scale survey suggesting that Americans are too apathetic about ethical standards…The competition is greater, the pressures on kids have increased dramatically, said Mel Riddle of the National Association of Secondary School Principals. They have opportunities (to cheat) their predecessors didn't have - the temptation is greater. The Josephson Institute, a Los Angeles-based ethics institute, surveyed 29,760 students at 100 randomly selected high schools nationwide, both public and private…Michael Josephson, the institute's founder and president, said he was most dismayed by the findings about theft. The survey found that 35% of boys and 26% of girls (30% overall) acknowledged stealing from a store within the past year. One-fifth said they stole something from a friend; 23% said they stole something from a parent or other relative…64% of students cheated on a test in the past year and 38% did so two or more times…36% said they used the Internet to plagiarize an assignment…42%...Despite such responses, 93% of the students said they were satisfied with their personal ethics and character, and 77% affirmed that when it comes to doing what is right, I am better than most people I know…"

Consider these things with me - - Somewhere/Somehow we have lost our way in terms of ethical and moral values. With tensions being so considerable among people and nations, what value system will be employed that will allow one to (a) cope with the tensions, and decisions to be made, and (b) what will be the basic foundational principle one will employ to make his/her contribution among people and in a world where a clear path and a clarion call are so vitally needed. If only the standard for life in I Timothy 4:12 was embraced, “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” If only the ethical values of Philippians 4:8 were inculcated (to implant by repeated statement or admonition; teach persistently and earnestly), “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about…and…practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” By the world’s standards and values, there is turbulence and tension; by the Biblical standards and values, there is tranquility and peace. The Prince of Peace wants to be included in your life! Why not welcome and receive and enjoy that Gift now?!