4th of July

Tomorrow is the 4th of July. I have to admit to having some mixed feelings about this. Yes, I am grateful and thankful for the nation in which we live, and for the freedoms we enjoy. Yes, I am completly supportive of those who serve our nation.

But I can't help but wonder if we are really furthering the cause of independence in Iraq, and other nations. Are we at war for the people of those nations, or for our own self-interests? Are we really bringing freedom, or just extending the pain and suffering?

Again, to be clear, I don't wonder these things because of any concern over the work of our troops, who are following orders.

But I wonder about the wisdom of being there. There is no clear exit strategy, and apparently no real hope of being out of there any time soon. And while we're there, there is no real hope of peace.

I also have significant concerns still about "why" we are there. There were no weapons of mass destruction. Sudein was no real threat to us, or to anyone.

And to hear the President continue to refer to linkages between our troops in Iraq, and the 9/11 attacks when quite simply there is no clear linkage. None.

As Christians, we are called to work for peace. How to do this when the path is so unclear and so difficult?

It all makes me uneasy this fourth of July.