Peace Man

Growing up as a child in the 60s the word peace came up a lot. It was used as a slogan “Peace Baby” and “Peace Man”, it was used as a protest movement and even a sign, the whole spreading of your forefinger and middle finger. Even today, in the midst of our time of war people are looking for peace by a means of an end to the war. For some, peace is just as absence of war.

But for me, it’s so much more and so much different. The kind of peace I’m talking about is only available thru the love of Jesus Christ. Biblical peace in the Old Testament comes from the word “shalom” which speaks of a relationship of harmony and wholeness. The new testament Greek word is “eirene” which describes the harmonious relationship between men.

We live in such a fallen, troubled world and last Friday while surfing the cable news web sites several stories made it abundantly clear that we live in a world that desperately needs Jesus. I read of a husband who stabbed his wife and then shot her in her 5th grade classroom, another where a man kills six people at a city council meeting after losing a lawsuit. Another had a teen beat another kid to death at school while another taped it on his cell phone and did nothing. Another had a mom giving her 11-year-old beer and marijuana as a birthday gift (what happened to a sleepover). And finally, a dad was charged with child abuse for circumcising his two children when they were 8 days old, with a utility knife.

This past summer after much reading and prayer I came up with my life verse. I was encouraged by my mentor and friend, Catherine Martin to have God reveal a verse that I can draw upon, to find my purpose in and direct my life. For me it came from Isaiah 26:3. It’s not long, but it packs a punch. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you."
Besides the gift of salvation, I have often thought about what I love about having Jesus in my life and then this verse hit me. It’s the perfect peace he offers. No matter what evil goes on in this world, who’s elected into office, or the seemingly lack of morality in the culture I can be rest assured that God is in control. I can have the harmony and wholeness of my relationship with Jesus Christ. With His peace, I know I don’t have to have the answer to all of life’s issues. I just need to keep on doing what He asks me to do which is to know Him better each day and do what He asks me to do.

My partner verse to Isaiah 26:3 is from Jesus himself where He is speaking to his disciples at the Last Supper. He knew they were going to go out into a world that was messed up and He told not to get discouraged. “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

So I hope this will offer some encouragement to you as you work, live and try to raise a family in these troubled times. Our troubles are small compared to what Jesus went thru on our behalf, but they’re still troubles nonetheless. But take heart everyone, victory is ours. Jesus has overcome your troubles and mine.

Have a peace-filled day.

Mark