On Peace

Pees - Middle English
Pes - Anglo French
Pax - Latin
Paix - French

Peace...every language has a word for it. I've been longing for peace. Merriam-Webster's second definition of peace is

Freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts and emotions.

The Bible speaks about peace about 400 times. A promise of peace. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were seeking peace from oppression, wars, famine among other things. Jesus' message of peace was more about relying on him and to receive relief from the troubles of this world. Jesus told us not to worry, not to be afraid.

I don't know how to do this. I actually don't have the faith right now to believe that Jesus can give me peace. To me, this seems to be a miraculous gift...an unexplainable gift. And, right now, I just don't believe this is how it works.

I've been treating my faith in God a bit like a superstition or magic. So, if I take out of the equation a belief that I can supernaturally have peace, then how do I make it happen?

Is it a dream, of lofty idea. John Lennon wrote "Imagine all the people Living life in peace."

Exactly, imagine...

Peace seems to come when you are able to cooperate or resolve something with someone. Therefore, it's always dependent on an external influence. I'm not sure true peace can exist on this earth. I'm all for giving peace a chance, but what if someone else isn't.

Since my son has been on the earth our country has been at war. It's so completely normal to him. He actually doesn't think it's sad at all. And, do you think about it each day? We're not at peace as a country. And let's take the war out of the equation. Our country is in economic turmoil, political upheaval, drugs, rapes, murders of innocent kids and elderly, terrorist threats, family crisis', disloyalty, embezzlement, and so on.

These things have been going on since the dawn of time. This imperfect world cannot have peace.

So, why did Jesus say that he was leaving us with his peace? Why did the angels tell the shepherds in the field at Christ birth, "Peace on earth, goodwill toward men?"

I need to re-examine my expectations of peace. To modify what I can live with. John Lennon wasn't the only one to dream of peace, nor is he the last. The oxymoron of the song Imagine for me is that John Lennon was killed by a crazed fan. A man, who longed for peace, was murdered.

Jesus spoke of peace...he was murdered.

So, here's what I'm thinking: True peace isn't attainable on this imperfect world. But, we should do all we can to make our life and the lives of others as peaceable as possible.

Blessed are the peacemakers.

Don't stir up crap and get people mad. Don't start wars. Don't be so angry. Forgive. Seek justice. Make a difference. Come on guys, this is as close are we're going to get.

Side note: my Christmas cards this year will feature CJ giving a peace sign...so I'm not completely jaded :-)