Ministry Reflection Day 21: Cultivating Compassion OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation

Month of Ministry ‘War’ Reflection

Feb 26, 2025

Day 21 of #MonthOfMinistry and today’s prompt is – ‘War’.

There was a time when I lived in a war of my own making. A battle between who I was and who I was told I had to be. Faith on one side, identity on the other, and me — caught in the crossfire. I fought. I prayed. I tried to erase parts of myself, believing peace would come if I could just surrender enough. But no one wins a war against themselves.

And while I waged war inside, the world burned outside. Real war. The kind that leaves cities in ruins, families torn apart, bodies in the streets. The kind fueled by the same belief that difference is a threat, that power must be won through destruction.

Both kinds of war — internal and external — are borne from the same lie: that some people must be erased for others to have peace. But true peace doesn’t come from conquest. It comes from understanding. From justice. From love that refuses to see anyone as collateral damage.

I pray for peace.

In hearts, in homes, in nations.

May the wars within us end, so we stop waging them on the world.

~ Written by OneSpirit Student, Justin Hardie.

Justin Hardie: Justin Hardie is a dedicated activist working to ban conversion therapy in the UK, with appearances in multiple media outlets advocating a ban and, as a survivor of conversion therapy himself, raising awareness of the damage this abuse causes. With 23 years of experience in Early Childhood Education, Justin has devoted his career to supporting the development and wellbeing of young children. Currently, he is on the Birch Pathway with OneSpirit, deepening his journey in spiritual and interfaith work. Justin lives with his husband, Paul, and their beloved dog, Hamish, embracing a life rooted in love, advocacy, and a commitment to social change.

You can follow Justin on: Instagram: @justinchardie Bluesky: @mrjhardie.bsky.social

Day 21 of #MonthOfMinistry and today’s prompt is - ‘War’.</p>
<p>There was a time when I lived in a war of my own making. A battle between who I was and who I was told I had to be. Faith on one side, identity on the other, and me—caught in the crossfire. I fought. I prayed. I tried to erase parts of myself, believing peace would come if I could just surrender enough. But no one wins a war against themselves.</p>
<p>And while I waged war inside, the world burned outside. Real war. The kind that leaves cities in ruins, families torn apart, bodies in the streets. The kind fueled by the same belief that difference is a threat, that power must be won through destruction.</p>
<p>Both kinds of war—internal and external—are borne from the same lie: that some people must be erased for others to have peace. But true peace doesn’t come from conquest. It comes from understanding. From justice. From love that refuses to see anyone as collateral damage.</p>
<p>I pray for peace. In hearts, in homes, in nations. May the wars within us end, so we stop waging them on the world.

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