While Seeking Peace,One Must Be at Peace

While watching the television news not too long ago,they featured a story on a demonstration calling for peace in Iraq by the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from that country.The protesters were filmed gathered outside a building in Washington,D.C. where the Vice-President was to speak.I felt a sense of irony as I observed these protesters. On one hand, they were calling for peace, yet their manner and means of doing so were anything but peaceful.

They were screaming out slogans laced with obscenities and hate.They carried signs and posters expressing in print what they were yelling in the street.The demonstrators also attempted to block traffic and entrance to the building. Although I am sympathetic and understanding of their message,their manner of communication negated the intended effect.I thought,just another unruly mob,not unlike the ones you see from time to time on television in some middle eastern country.I wondered how many other people watching this felt as I did.I couldn't help but think they all needed a lesson in Gandhi's non-violent manner of protesting.
You can't effectively demonstrate for peace,or any other noble cause,when you are not at peace yourself and are acting in an unpeaceful way. When we represent a cause or say we are followers of Jesus, we have a responsibility to conduct ourselves accordingly.