Peace

"You keep him in perfect peace 

whose mind is stayed on you,

because he trusts in you."

Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Peace Be With You

In the past weeks, I've wrestled with the idea of 'peace'. Many challenging questions came to my mind:

• What does true peace look like?
• How do we achieve inner peace?
• Can I live in peace with everyone?
• Will there ever be world peace? (Yes, I genuinely ask myself that question!)
• What does a life of peace look like?

...and so on.

What is the first image that comes to your mind when I write the word PEACE? (Think about this for a minute.)

My wife answered: the peace sign, Jesus, a handshake - in that exact order. 

The secular world enjoys symbolism and it's no wonder that the peace sign features in the minds of many. Our culture has persuaded us of this ideal that 'world peace' is one of the most important things to strive for. As noble as that ideal might seem, it is absolutely impossible to achieve in an oppressed world such as ours. Even if you tried everything in your own personal power to make sure your consumer behaviour doesn't affect another negatively, you have no control. You can buy as many fair trade products as you want, you won't even make a dent to the injustice surrounding us on a daily basis. 

Should we therefore stop and give up? 

This question has cropped up quite often in recent months. Especially when it comes to the systemic racial injustice that is so prevalent everywhere. 

Of course we shouldn't give up to fight for what is right. Paul reminds the church of Philippi:

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." (Philippians 4:8)

 

I cannot think of anything more praiseworthy than reconciling this broken world and eradicating the systems of injustice that keep our society enchained. 

A movement of peace doesn't bring about peace. Only the creator of peace can transform our hearts and bring about a real change. Only Jesus, the Prince of Peace, can bring light into the darkness.

My wife is right. The handshake is a beautiful gesture of connecting with another human being, a way to show that you're both equal. The handshake, in some cultures, would also signify that you're not carrying any arms. (Arms as in weapons, not arms with hands attached.)

I'm not a proponent of many liturgical traditions, but I've always enjoyed the 'sign of peace'. There are five epistles, in which Paul signs off by telling the church to 'greet one another with a holy kiss' (Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, 1 Thessalonians 5:26, 1 Peter 5:14). It was customary in the ancient Mediterranean world to greet the other person with a kiss. 

In today's Covid-infected world, this seems more and more impossible. Shaking another person's hand appears to now be an ancient form of greeting, let alone a brotherly kiss! 

Coming together as an embodied church has also been threatened by this tide of fear and angst of this invisible 'enemy'. Where is peace in all the turmoil that's unfolding before our very eyes?

Jesus says: "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

This is truly one of the most comforting verses to hear in this time.

Surpassing Peace 

There is a verse before Philippians 4:8, where Paul writes: 

"And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:7)

The peace of God surpasses all human understanding. Sometimes, we are filled with supernatural peace in situations where it makes absolutely no sense to feel peace. One of those times was at the birth of our son. The birthing room is not considered a place of peace (and it certainly doesn't sound very peaceful). I didn't know how to feel in that moment, where my wife was crying out of sheer pain and exhaustion. Peace was the last thing on my mind. And yet it was that time of utter spiritual disruption where the Holy Spirit came upon us and gave me comfort. I knew that my wife was going to manage and get through that incredibly difficult moment. When our son arrived, the peace became even more tangible in the form of something so pure and innocent. 

Right now, it does feel a bit like the world is going through something like birthing pains. There's a battle raging on in people's hearts, as to where to turn for assurance. Jon Tyson, pastor of Church of the City (New York), was recently interviewed by to Carey Nieuwhof, and he reckons the collective church missed its moment to do something in the wake of the Corona pandemic. The world has moved on and there are new battles on the horizon. But there is something that the church can still do: be the place of refuge.

What if the world could witness Christians who bring a supernatural peace into each and every situation? What if our response to the chaos and calamity around us would be one of sheer compassion and peace? The Holy Spirit is called the 'great comforter' for a reason. We are called to be a lighthouse, guiding others through the storm, safe to shore.   

Blessed Peacemakers

I'm currently being challenged by Skye Jethani's new book "What If Jesus Was Serious", in which he dissects the Sermon on the Mount. 

Look around you - the world is constantly causing us to be on the defensive, to raise up walls. The media flourishes in times of conflict and division. In our secular culture, we are forced to pick a side. We are pushed into a corner, in which it is difficult to find common ground.

Why does Jesus say 

'Blessed are the peacemakers,

for they will be called children of God.' (Matthew 5:9)

if it wasn't a vital part of how we ought to live?

Think about your life right now and think about your relationships. Is there a relationship where you're experiencing or have experienced conflict? (I'd assume the answer is probably 'Yes')

It is in relationships that we experience hurt. But it is also through relationships that we experience healing. This was a true revelation for me recently. 

The devil has made sure that we are as far removed as possible from finding reconciliation with one another. It starts in families and he has worked his evil scheme into societal structures (such as schools, politics etc.) and churches. Conflict keeps us chained to our old selves and prevents us from walking forward in the freedom Christ has given us. 

That is not to say that we have to turn the other cheek. Or does it? 

Apparently, there are Christians who claim that we only have two cheeks and cannot simply be a welcoming mat. This is in stark contrast to what Jesus told us (Matthew 5:39). Is there a limit to how often we turn the other cheek? 

Of course we must discern whether or not somebody is taking us for a ride or using us. How can we be peacemakers when somebody is flat out attacking us? Should we just be weak and take it?

Again, if we call ourselves Christians, we are following the one who gave his life for those who don't deserve it. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, did not just turn the other cheek. He surrendered all, so that we can live in the fullness of that same peace. He laid down his weapons, so that we could be reconciled to the Father. He died for a bride who was unworthy and unfaithful. 

That is the challenge for me personally - to seek reconciliation and forgiveness in my own relationships, even though it is unbelievably hard. 

God will hold us accountable for the way we treat one another. Let us invite the Holy Spirit to be present at all times: in the words we speak, our actions and thoughts. Let us daily put on the sandals (shoes) of the Gospel of Peace. For the word of God is love. It is joy. And it is peace for those who desire it the most.