A mission of peace

Do you live in peace? Apart from love, there is nothing that enhances the quality of our lives like being at peace with the world. Simmering conflict, no matter where it’s happening, at home, at work, in our church, or in the world; robs us of joy. Yet, we fight! I counsel with people who are at war with themselves and their world. They are always ready for a fight, taking offense, insisting on their rights. They seem not to see the high cost of being so belligerent. They often remind me of a tiny dog owned by a friend. The little animal is apparently terribly insecure, shivering in perpetual fright. Even when held securely on the lap of his owner, he snarls at everyone who approaches. If you reach out to pet him, he lets out a pathetic tiny growl. He is miserable and only deepens his fear by his constant hyper-aggression.

The path to peace begins with our relationship with God. Our sinfulness alienates us from our Father. In our willfulness, we are cut off from His love, separated from His care. But, through Christ, we can find reconciliation with Him.  Jesus’ story about a wayward, self-willed son who goes home to be a slave and finds himself fully restored as a son is our story. When we come without excuse or argument, accepting the love of Christ, we can rest, knowing peace with Abba!

Peace grows when we choose to forgive. How can we hold onto the debt created by those who have wronged us, when God is so generously gracious towards us? Few things destroy our peace more than living with a heart that refuses to let go of the past. Jesus taught us to pray that we will find forgiveness even as we forgive those who trespass against us. The reality of life is that hurts will come. People will disappoint us. Some will even intentionally try to harm us.  From our secure place in the love of our Abba, we can seek peace, forgiving and leaving justice to Him.

Our peace is secured by profound faith that accepts God’s grace just for today. God’s wisdom runs so counter to our ideals of self-expression. He says that "the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace." (Psalm 37:11, NIV)  Humility allows us to enjoy peace. The Hebrew word is ‘shalom’ which means so much more than simply absence of conflict. Included in that peace, that holy ‘shalom,’ is wholeness, fullness, prosperity, and health! No matter where He leads, we can live at peace. But, to do so, we will have to choose humility – before God and with others. Those who would live in holy peace don’t live life on their own terms.

Choose peace. The Bible teaches us that peace does not find us, we choose it! “Search for peace, and work to maintain it.” (1 Peter 3:11 NLT) Make peace and may peace be your mission.

The Bible describes the peace of the coming Messianic Kingdom in the most picturesque way. As you read this word from the Word, pray that you will live in peace today; at peace with God, seeking peace with others, so that His kingdom may come to you. "The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child put his hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." (Isaiah 11:6-9, NIV)

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Coming to Jesus, my Savior, I found;

Wonderful peace, wonderful peace.

Storms in their fury may rage all around,

I have peace, sweet peace.

Peace like a holy and infinite calm;

Wonderful peace, wonderful peace.

Like to the strains of an evening Psalm,

I have peace, sweet peace,

Peace, peace, wonderful peace!

Peace, peace, glorious peace!

Since my Redeemer has ransomed my soul,

I have peace, sweet peace.

Wonderful Peace
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Haldor Lillenas

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