Peace, as in War & Peace seems most often to be though of as the absence of war, or for parents the "peace & quiet" that seems so elusive during the preschool and elementary years. Most OED definitions begin "freedom from..."
But those who seek to follow Christ have a different perspective as recorded in the 14th Chapter of John in the 27th verse: “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.” The OED's entry of "serenity" and "mental calm" comes closer, but how would serenity be something that could be given to another? Even an "offering of peace" only works if both sides are on board with stopping the conflict.
Is then the "peace of God" something other than an internal condition? I believe it is. For many of us who have had occasion to pray or meditate or seek in the Bible during times of anxiety, stress and danger, we do find a place of calm to the degree we can embrace God with more purpose then we focus on that which we fear. It is not as though we say, "God, I'm so afraid for my child that is in prison. The news out of that prison if very frightening and I know that no one will be able to call out and not much will be released to the newspapers and so for some time, maybe days and maybe weeks, I can't be confident that my incarcerated daughter is safe," and God snaps His figurative fingers and a puff of angel dust falls over the prison keeping all within safe.
Rather, when we pray our hearts longings to God, we can and usually do experience as sense of well-being as we remember that, though we have no idea of the situation in the facility, God does not have to await a phone call or news release to be fully informed. And God loves our child even more than we do (for God's love is utter and perfect and complete) and God longs for and empowers our child's highest good. Oh, and God loves us and empowers our highest good too. As we pray, this soaks into our hearts, our souls and soothes our fears, reminding us that, whatever lies ahead, we do not have to ever handle it alone.
Philippians 4:7 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Translation: Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.
Lord of Love, Prince of Peace, still my troubled heart, teach me to trust You ever more deeply and thank You for being perfect in keeping Your covenant, never forsaking me and always loving me. AMEN
But those who seek to follow Christ have a different perspective as recorded in the 14th Chapter of John in the 27th verse: “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.” The OED's entry of "serenity" and "mental calm" comes closer, but how would serenity be something that could be given to another? Even an "offering of peace" only works if both sides are on board with stopping the conflict.
Is then the "peace of God" something other than an internal condition? I believe it is. For many of us who have had occasion to pray or meditate or seek in the Bible during times of anxiety, stress and danger, we do find a place of calm to the degree we can embrace God with more purpose then we focus on that which we fear. It is not as though we say, "God, I'm so afraid for my child that is in prison. The news out of that prison if very frightening and I know that no one will be able to call out and not much will be released to the newspapers and so for some time, maybe days and maybe weeks, I can't be confident that my incarcerated daughter is safe," and God snaps His figurative fingers and a puff of angel dust falls over the prison keeping all within safe.
Rather, when we pray our hearts longings to God, we can and usually do experience as sense of well-being as we remember that, though we have no idea of the situation in the facility, God does not have to await a phone call or news release to be fully informed. And God loves our child even more than we do (for God's love is utter and perfect and complete) and God longs for and empowers our child's highest good. Oh, and God loves us and empowers our highest good too. As we pray, this soaks into our hearts, our souls and soothes our fears, reminding us that, whatever lies ahead, we do not have to ever handle it alone.
Philippians 4:7 Complete Jewish Bible (CJB) Translation: Then God’s shalom, passing all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds safe in union with the Messiah Yeshua.
Lord of Love, Prince of Peace, still my troubled heart, teach me to trust You ever more deeply and thank You for being perfect in keeping Your covenant, never forsaking me and always loving me. AMEN
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