Paul always greeted and closed with the words, “The peace of God be with you” in his pastoral letters. And so we say, “And also with you.” We then pass this greeting to one another.
I have been in the habit of ending my notes and emails with the words, “God’s peace”, before signing my name. Why? Why peace at all…and why God’s peace?!
A peaceful heart, is often determined by the situations and/or environment we are currently in. We are so easily unsettled, even if our day does begin peacefully. Whether it is our own doing or the “fault” of others, we can lose our sense of peace ‘just like that’.
And yet, we do want peace in our lives and in our world. As difficult as life is, we still search for it. As elusive as it can be we still hope to obtain it for ourselves. Is it no wonder that God’s claims about His peace are appealing to us? Is it no wonder that the words, “a peace that passes understanding” or, “a peace that the world cannot give” give us hope, beyond hope, amidst the difficulties we face?
And Jesus, our Prince of Peace. What is the gospel of peace that He has given us? So many of His people, God’s children, are not peaceful, are not peace-giving and rather than speaking words of peace are quick to give others a piece of their mind. How can peace overflow from our lives if we aren’t experiencing it daily? How can we obtain the peace that God describes in His Word?
Because my mind and heart are so tightly connected, it is what I choose to focus on or center my heart and thoughts on that determine my “peace-meter” at any given moment. If I choose to look at my situation, the people involved or my “to do” list and let these things determine how I am doing or feeling, than alas, I am truly in an unstable position. But, if I intentionally turn my thoughts to God and decide, at all costs, to seek Him with all of my heart and “let go” of those things that pull me down, then His Spirit has the opportunity to work in my heart and give me the Peace He has promised me.
The apostle Paul says, “Pursue peace“. Do you get the word picture that I get? To pursue something is an intentional act. It has a focus and it takes energy and motivation on our parts. God is not asking us to pursue something fleeting or mind-numbing. He is not encouraging financial gain or relationships as a means to peace. He Himself is our peace. We must pursue Him in order to realize His peace in our lives.
May you bask in the truth that “Christ in you is the hope of glory”…He is our peace…
