Peace

 

[Jesus said] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you before it takes place, so that when it does take place you may believe.” (John 14:27-29 ESV).

 

“Shalom!” When Mary and I first visited Israel many years ago, “shalom” was one of the first words we came to use. "Shalom" is a Hebrew word that primarily means peace, but it also commonly serves as a greeting, like "hello" or "goodbye". Beyond simple greetings, however, "shalom" encapsulates a deeper sense of wholeness, well-being, and completeness. It can refer to peace between individuals, groups, or nations, as well as to the personal well-being and prosperity of an individual.

 

For most people that peace requires a place as much as a change in circumstance. Some prefer the warm sandy beaches with the sea breeze blowing in gently from the ocean and the sound of the ever ebb and flow of the waves. Others, like myself, prefer the mountains with the majestic views of the peaks and valleys on the horizon and cooler air wafting in on a slight breeze. However you best experience “peace” there is only one constant source of such emotion.

 

So, today we’ll begin to consider real “shalom.” While “peace” often refers to an absence of conflict, shalom suggests the presence of goodness, flourishing, right relationships, and all things being as God created them to be. Shalom points to all things living in line with their character so that they can fully achieve God’s intentions for them. Living in right relationship is essential for human flourishing—right relationship with God, with others, with self, and with God’s creation. That’s what God intended. Yet because of human sin and rebellion, those relations are twisted and spoiled. Poverty and all its limitations are the result of relationships gone wrong. Even so, God’s great work of love is to free us and his creation from the bondage of sin and to restore shalom.

 

Jesus is the only complete solution. He is at the heart of God’s work of love. Begin with your complete commitment to Him today!