Crossing the Lines of Life...

A couple of years ago- about 6- I began a long and heated, passionate affair with the music of Mr. Johnny Cash. There is something very primal and very affecting about his lyrics, his voice and his music. The listener has the notion that we are glimpsing the tortured soul of this fantastic musician. His song, "Walk the Line" is singing constantly in my ears and in my soul these days.

I am getting ready in this next week to attend the 19th annual peace vigil to close the School of the Americas housed in Fort Benning, Georgia. My trip there will be a bit of a climax in the sense that I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to go until about three weeks ago. Through the gifts and generosity of others, I am able to go and participate in this action. I am looking forward to the opportunity to gather in prayer, and civil engagement.

There is the issue of “crossing the line” once I am there. I do not anticipate doing this at this point in my life. The punishment for doing this action is to be arrested (which I have no problem with) face up to 6 months in jail, and pay a fine up to $5000.00. What I find fascinating about this movement, is that there is real encouragement of discernment for those who wish to consider this action. There are lawyers on site to speak with those people who wish to consider such an action. I was watching movies about these actions in the last 19 years, and saw families who participated in these actions together- I found such commitment to be wonderful!

How does this have anything to do with me? The people that are targeted by the graduates of the SOA once they are back in their own countries are labor organizers, religious men and women and those who speak out on behalf of the poor. The senseless killing that happens in these countries is striking to me. For more information see www.soaw.org also, for those who would be concerned about a biased opinion, I would encourage you to find other sources that would present another side of the discussion.

I ask for continued prayers, and pray-ers to remember those who will be at Georgia seeking peace. I find that as life goes on, there are all kinds of lines that we are to cross. We are surrounded by lines that require a yes or nor answer- not so much a both/and approach to life, but a bit more polarizing.