As Tensions Grow, Let's Not Snap
By Travis K. McSherley

A rubber band will stretch pretty far.  The small strand of rubber will get longer and thinner as it is pulled.  At some point, though, it just can’t take any more of the tension; and in a heartbeat, it violently breaks apart. 

Our world seems to be a rubber band, with nations and leaders all pulling on it, stretching it tighter and tighter.  But all it takes is for a rubber band to snap in just one place before disorder and chaos result. 

As we watch the news on television every night, we see tensions rising everywhere.  The Middle East seems to be pulling on the rubber band extra hard, almost anticipating its destruction.  Israel, surrounded by its enemies, must constantly prepare to do whatever becomes necessary to keep their land in tact, whether from military or political attack. 

All around the world, though, things seem to be getting pulled tighter and tighter.   Ten years after the Persian Gulf War, President Bush’s bombing of Iraq in February did not fare well with many countries.  I have even read recently that Russia is considering putting missiles back in Cuba.  And the list goes on.  Nation after nation, though, seems to be pulling the rubber band tighter and tighter.  Russia, China, the Middle East, Europe, the United States, and others appear to be pushing the line between cautious and aggressive. 

We have no way of knowing if or when the rubber band is going to snap.  One thing is certain, however:  when the tension does climax, all nations will be affected.  Therefore, we must be constantly looking to our Father for hope and encouragement.  Only He knows the end from the beginning.  He already knows how this thing is going to play out.  As we step back and look at all the crazy things going on around us, we have to be ready for anything.  Fortunately, just as the years before and the years to come, THIS is the year of our Lord.