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Ireland: An Island in Agony  

Another bombing.

Another killing.

That's what I remember of Ireland as I grew up.

Night after night we saw images of an island in agony.

Indeed, Ireland's history is so violent as to suggest the “Emerald Isle” might better be named the “Blood Red Isle.”

But of course, it wasn't Ireland's violent history that brought us there.  No, my wife and I came to see castles and coastlines and clouds.  We were not disappointed with our anniversary vacation.

The truth is, our trip to Ireland way exceeded our rather lofty hopes.  Everywhere we hiked or drove was a postcard.  It was almost useless to put away your camera, because the moment you did, a new and powerful scene came into view.

But if the beauty of the Emerald Isle overwhelmed us, so did its history.  As our kind hosts, Roger and Carrie, helped unpeel the layers of Ireland's troubled past, I felt a heaviness in my spirit.  So much raw beauty there.  So many miles of unfathomable cliffs and castles.   But at the same time, so much pain.  So many battles fought.  So many lives lost.   Clans fighting clans.  Protestants fighting Catholics.   So much unresolved bitterness and the palpable sense that the next bolt of lightning might ignite a powder keg of new violence somewhere near.

It made me wonder—and wish—for the last violent episode to be over.  Can we please end the bombings and shootings?  Can we not just get to that part of the story where it's all wise kings and gracious queens and happy pageantry?

The answer, of course, is no.

Until the King of Kings has finally come to reign and rule, blood will continue to flow. 

Yet please know: Ireland is no different than YOUR land.

Scripture reminds us “man was born for trouble.”  Still, you can't help wondering.   Maybe the reason it rains so much in Ireland is because God is crying...weeping over Ireland...a land that has few equals in beauty and fewer still in agony.

 

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Jon GaugerJon Gauger

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