This notion about eradicating war sounds like Utopian thinking.

Of course it would be ideal to have peace and not war. Of course all the people of the earth — indeed, all the people of any microcosm — should be able to coexist in peace.

I suspect that any person who doesn’t go around looking for a fight would agree that peace is an ideal space in which to dwell. But ours is a planet full of individuals who are, well, individuals. Individuality is not a problem; it is a gift that each of us has received simply by being born into this world.

And one catalyst that grows and shapes a person’s character is that of interpersonal conflict. Conflict happens. Hostility happens. And sometimes it takes awhile, but eventually, dialogue happens after individuals have cooled off.

To me, global idealistic thinking is a big-picture perspective — a floodlight that shines so brightly that it blinds us to what within ourselves perpetuates conflict…blinds us to the part we play in society’s problems.

Confronting the “troubles with this world” by bravely shining a spotlight on my contributions to the trouble would be a more fitting use of light in this context, no?

Do we focus our time and effort in vain when we seek to end all wars and demand world peace?

Why don’t we first begin with demanding peace within ourselves? I have noticed that my own periodic lack of peace makes it easy to forget to think before I speak, which inevitably starts an argument with those in my own home.

Think about it: if conflicts are perpetuated in our own lives by the mere existence (and blessing) of vastly different personalities and perspectives, what within us thinks that wars will cease?

War has existed “since forever.” We will always have war — I hate this reality, but it is reality. So callous do I feel I must be to have this perspective; the truth is, I have wars raging within me about myself that could easily burn bridges were I to let everyone around me “have it.”

Accomplishing peace is bigger than any of us. In my case, it is my Lord Jesus who reminds me daily that I am warring against childhood pain and seeing my friends around me through the filter of past pain and rejection.

He shows me that my disdain for the cliques and inner circles at church isn’t helping me break through the emotional part of me that was stunted in growth.

This lack of peace doesn’t help me be an agent of peace around me. If I want war, I can stick with what is comfortable for me (“I knew they didn’t really like me or want me around; it was just a matter of time before they realized it”). If I want peace within me, I can keep my eyes lifted to my Father who wants to show me how to see things differently.

The need for peace within oneself is the only activism that will affect change globally. This, too, is Utopian thinking, but on an individual scale…and one step toward the bigger goal.

© Alexa Lopez, 2009