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There are signs of hope, and if our eyes are open, we can see them like small roadside flowers. Messianic congregations are sending aid to Christian Arabs in the north, a Christian Palestinian ministry center in the Bethlehem area has opened its doors to Jewish believers from the north of Israel, groups of Jewish and Arab believing young people are together in reconciliation-based camps and conferences in Norway, Holland, Burundi, Finland, and elsewhere.

It is easy to sit in the United States or in Europe and pass judgment on the situation, to blame Israel for brutally overacting, to see Hezbollah as evil incarnate, and to miss the opportunity to do what God desires. Extremism and polarization make much better press than small grassroots activities that bring people together. Let us be the first to pray, to give aid, to weep with those who weep, and to mourn with those who mourn. Let us be about our Father's business, calling men to repentance, reconciling men to God, and reconciling men to men at all times and in all places.

Lisa Loden is managing director of the Caspari Center in Jerusalem and co-founder of Beit Asaph Messianic Congregation in Netanya. As with all "Speaking Out" articles, the views expressed do not necessarily represent those of Christianity Today.

Copyright © 2006 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

This article is one in a series of commentaries on the Hezbollah-Israel conflict.

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August (Web-only) 2006, Vol. 50