Peace
Peace: To experience nothing missing, nothing broken, but complete wholeness in a person’s well-being.
“Luke 12:49-51“I’ve come to start a fire on this earth—how I wish it were blazing right now! I’ve come to change everything, turn everything rightside up—how I long for it to be finished! Do you think I came to smooth things over and make everything nice? Not so. I’ve come to disrupt and confront!”
Finding Peace in Unexpected Places
As the holiday season approaches, many of us find ourselves reflecting on the themes of hope, peace, and joy. Recently, I had the opportunity to delve into these themes more deeply, and it led me to some surprising insights.
I started my journey by reading a book about hope, preparing myself for a sermon. My travels took me to Vienna, Austria, where I led a kids' ministry themed around "unshakable hope". However, as the date of my sermon approached, I found myself pivoting to a new topic: peace.
On the Sunday of my sermon, I decided to explore what the Bible says about peace. I was certain I would find a verse about Jesus bringing peace to the world. Instead, I stumbled upon a passage in Luke 12 that was quite the opposite. Jesus said, "I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ... Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division". This was not the comforting message I had expected.
As I continued my search, I turned to the letters of Paul, who mentions peace 51 times in the New Testament. Paul often speaks about living at peace with others, but even he acknowledges the challenges. He advises, "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone". This pragmatic approach to peace resonated with me. Paul understood that peace is not always easy to achieve, but it is worth striving for.
Romans 12:5-8
“So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.”
Reflecting on these passages, I realized that peace is not just the absence of conflict. It is an active pursuit, a commitment to understanding and harmony, even in the face of division. This holiday season, let's embrace the true meaning of peace – not as a passive state, but as a dynamic and ongoing effort to connect with others and create a more harmonious world.