Peace

When we consider the word peace, a myriad of ideas may flood our minds. We desire for everyone to get along, for wars to cease, for our hearts to feel rest, for fear to be gone, and so on. Yet, when I read the headlines and assess the world at the moment, peace is not the word that comes to mind. The world feels heavy and dark, and I wonder what we can do when the situations we face seem incomprehensible.

And even as I wonder about these things, I am reminded of John 8:12, where Jesus declares that he is the light of the world and that those who follow him will never walk in darkness, but instead will have the light of life. I am thankful that Jesus is our light and that through him we have the fullness of life. So often, I can't fathom or comprehend the brokenness that surrounds us, but I can understand that, as one who walks in the light, I am invited to shine that light into the darkness.

One way that we can shine light into the darkness is to carry peace with us wherever we go. In John 14:27, Jesus told the disciples: "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."

We have access to this same peace that Jesus gave the disciples. This peace is complete, safe, and always available. This peace allows our hearts to be at rest and our fear to melt away. This peace almost feels too good to be true. And yet! This peace is a gift and a grace to us. Jesus is our PRINCE OF PEACE. When we walk with him, we can experience this embodied peace, and as those who reflect God's image, we can offer this same peace to the world around us.

The reality is that we are not God, and we were never meant to carry the weight of the world. It is impossible. Yet, as followers of Jesus, we are full of his light and his peace. A light that is more radiant than the most vibrant sunrise, and a peace that can calm every storm.

While we may not be able to solve all the issues affecting the globe, we can hold space for those who are grieving, those who are fleeing their homeland, those who are being persecuted, and for others, too. We can weep with those who weep and cry out to God on their behalf as the Holy Spirit leads us. And while we aren't meant to carry the weight of the world, we are meant to shine the light of Jesus brightly, while also walking in peace in whatever spaces we have been planted.

This week, may we remember this blessing from Numbers 6:24-26:
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."


~  Melissa