WORLD PEACE DAY WISHES TO ALL.

Peace and Conflict Resolution - Abram model: Towards a Borderless Church

The word conflict suggests that something is not right. Who has to 'right' the 'wrong'?  Is it possible for us to live a life in this world of distractions, disturbances, stress, strain and conflict? We combat conflict almost every day than never before. This occurrence of conflict is increasing by the day.  

The people in the world would like to preserve paraphernalia, have all things, get several gifts, own whatever is possible - and keep them for our selves. We desire what we want and not what we NEED. This gives us temporary pleasure and never a permanent joy. It only creates more tension and stress that eventually affects our thought process and behavior and ends in conflict. How do we resolve this issue? What method we want to use to resolve? Here is a masterstroke from Abram on this subject:

MONEY AND MATERIALISM 

Abram departs from Egypt along with his nephew Lot. He is now profoundly wealthy. He has huge livestock and large amounts of silver and gold. The book of Genesis 13 records that Abram arrives a place between Bethel and Ai, where he had earlier pitched his tent. This place is unable to contain the flocks and tents of Abram and Lot. The inadequacy of the space for these two big groups ends up in a question of TERRITORIAL NATIONALISM. Each wants to mark his own boundary and a quarrel arises between Abram and Lot’s men on the use of land and space.  

MIND AND MENTALITY 

Abram sees the disagreement and the arguments between his men and that of his nephew’s. He understands the place is not enough for all of them. He is rich and is the Patron head of the family having power and authority over the family. However, he wants to dissolve the dispute in an amicable manner, where there is no violence and no bloodshed. Abram wants to SPEAK DIRECTLY to Lot to setright the wrangle at hand. The key to the problem is found in Genesis chapter 13 verse 8, “Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen.”(ESV) Abram’s intention is to maintain close family ties and strong relationship. He feared whether it would be jeopardized as a result of quarrel.

 

METHODOLOGY AND MEASURE 

It is interesting and intriguing to observe how Abram set the tone for the dialog. He provides: GIVES-IN to the option to Lot to take his space wherever he wants, whether towards the land on the left or towards the land on the right, After Lot has chosen his space, Abram would chose the remaining land. If Lot chose left, then Abram chose right. Now, Lot accepted this procedure of acquiring a new territory and looked around to see the whole plain of Jordan to Zoar which was fertile like the land of Egypt. Lot chose the whole plain of Jordan towards the East. 

CONCLUSION

A conflict that arose between two groups has been resolved without any misunderstanding and misuse of authority or power. Abram though powerful and rich, gives first priority to his nephew to occupy the area he wanted. Abram has CONCERN OVER THE VULNERABLE and care over others. In today’s times such a decision would be difficult. But Abram dissolved the conflict - through peaceful means.  

It all comes down to our attachment towards things or our influence on materialism; that we want everything. With all our comforts we are uncomfortable. In fact with the discomforts we need to be comfortable. Our attachment towards money and material must not be the priority in life rather we need to drift away from them for being an affective humanbeing. This would largely help us in creating peace. The mind and mentality of Abram should inspire us all particularly during Covid 19 crisis.

May our Good Lord guide us and grant His wisdom to seek the possibility to follow Abram’s mind, mentality and methodology of resolving conflicts - thereby bringing peace in the Family, Church, Community, Country and in the World. Happy World Peace Day, AMEN.