It is our hope as human beings that somehow in our fractured, tortured and mixed up world the negotiating table will eventually prove to be more potent and successful than instruments of destruction and violence.
Of all the extraordinary images we have been shown these past days was the enormous table at which a retired president and a supreme leader had sat facing each other.
When they got off the table after three and a half hours, the two families of two ladies had their prayers over one hundred and forty days answered.
No doubt not every problem has been resolved to everyone’s satisfaction. Problems and issues remain. But the path ahead may have subtly turned the corner and sitting down at the table may have become more possible and worthwhile than before.
When human beings sit down to talk, there is hope that some form of accommodation if not hard solution to serious disagreements and differences may be arrived at.
Across that giant table in Pyongyang, sworn enemies were able to talk to each other face to face. Of course that was preceded by a lot of behind the scene sitting and talking. In my mind, I could see numerous tables of various sizes leading to the one big table. The task must have been enormous and tireless. A lot of effort and initiative was expended before the one success was accomplished.
One small step courageously taken could yield benefits of great value. One small bomb could shatter limbs and rob human beings of ambition, dreams, life.
Talking is better than shooting.
In Pyongyang, West Bank, Jerusalem, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, Kota Kinabalu, Kuching…
Originally published on August 5, 2009 in onGOHing by Goh Keat Peng.
The Micah Mandate is a Christian-based public interest advocacy ministry that seeks a transformation of our nation through justice, mercy and humility.
