Question of the Week: What is Peace?

by Anne Lang Bundy

Some of the [Christmas] words have been worn out. Can you put “glory,” “joy,” “Messiah / Christ,” etc. in today’s vernacular?
~ Don Kimrey

A wonderful Q&A theme for the Advent season is to revisit biblical definitions of these words. We'll insert the quintessential Christmas word “peace” for "etc.," and spread the answer out over four posts:

December 3: Glory
December 10: Joy / Rejoice
December 17: Peace
December 24: Messiah / Christ

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Here is one Hebrew word easily translated: shâlôm.

Peace.

This Hebrew masculine noun is rooted in a verb that means to be safe and well; to make complete or to be completed.

True peace is holistic; that is, it takes in the whole person. Anyone who otherwise lives in health and ease, yet experiences gnawing hunger pangs in body, mind, heart, or soul, is not at peace.

If we look to the Bible for how to find peace, we discover that not only does peace affect the whole person, it is obtained in a Person:

You will keep in perfect peace,
The one fixed upon You,
Because he trusts in You.
Trust in YHWH forever,
For YAH—YHWH—is the Rock of Ages [everlasting strength].
~ Isaiah 26:3-4 (author)

We see here why peace eludes us. We think we can find peace in prosperity, in vigor of health, in relationship with another human. These things can bring a measure of peace, especially when we recognize them as gifts from God.

But they are all temporal. Prosperity is maintained by no small effort. Health and vigor are under constant attack from lifestyle, environment, and age. Every human relationship will eventually fail us, since every other human is as flawed as ourselves.

YHWH (also Yahweh, Jehovah, the LORD) is the Rock of Ages—eternal, everlasting strength. He does not change. His love never fails.

The more we are fixed on temporal things, the more ways we experience disappointment in their failing us. The more we are fixed upon YHWH, and establish Him as the solid foundation of our lives, the more peace we find amid the failures of all that is temporal.

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.
~ Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

A closing thought about peace is this: just as lack of peace in one part of the body affects the whole person, lack of peace in one part of Christ’s body of believers affects the whole. Indeed, lack of peace in one part of humanity affects the whole.

2010 draws to a close on a world without peace. While each of us might work toward peace in our corner of the globe, we remember—in this expectant season of Christmas—that peace cannot be complete until The Prince of Peace again walks the earth, as He promised He would.

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What questions do you have about Christianity or the Bible? You're invited to leave them in the comments below (anonymous questions welcome), or email buildingHisbody [plus] @ gmail.com

© 2010, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Image source: flickr.com

Give Peace A Chance

The weight of scripture points to the fact we are not meant to go through life alone. We are relational beings. We need each other to live, to survive, to make sense of life . . . to understand our Creator.

It is in the context of relationships that the human experience unfolds. Without people, without relationships, life has no texture.

Jesus said, “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.” – John 14:27

Humans have the power to precipitate nearly all emotions, but peace, emotional peace, comes to us as a gift from a Father who loves us. Only God can give us peace.

Jesus came into the world to complete the most important relationship of all.

Jesus is the bridge to the Father. He knows the world is full of empty promises. He knows you struggle. He knows life is unfair and unjust. He cares for you deeply.

If you trust Him, if you surrender, you will find the peace you are looking for.

WHATEVER

This week a guest is writing the Prayer Circle post. Anne Lang Bundy is transparent in her love for Jesus. Her writing is a heartfelt act of worship that has taught me and provoked thought. You can learn more about Anne at her blog Building His Body. Please visit her there sometime.

WHATEVER

Parents are provoked to make stupid rules.

"Nobody's allowed to breathe on anybody" comes to mind.

"Do not violate the airspace in their room" was instituted after "stay out of their room" proved insufficient.

"The word 'whatever' is not allowed in this house" has proven to be my favorite.

We have five darling children in our home, ages 4, 8, 10, 13 and 16. They've been brought up with the rich vocabulary of their mother the writer, yet fell back on 'whatever' one time too many for their father's liking. Thus he declared the anti-whatever rule, in an effort to stomp out the kids' disgusted resignation.

The problem with rules is that children have minds which immediately grasp the letter of the law and plot a way around it. It comes less easily for them to understand the spirit of the law and a benefit for the household intended by it.

It was only a matter of time before the word 'whatever' escaped my lips. My husband and I were discussing a decision on which I didn't have a strong opinion. I shrugged and offered a pleasant "okay, whatever" to indicate that I was fine with his preference. I was promptly reminded by one of my darlings that the word was forbidden, for they had listened only to the letter of the law and had entirely missed its spirit.

I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content.

~ Philippians 4:11 (NKJV)

Whatever is not from faith is sin.

~ Romans 14:23 (NKJV)

"You are My friends if you do whatever I command you."

~ John 15:14 (NKJV)

A person's relationship with God can be entirely summarized in how we say 'whatever.'

If a person denies that God exists, the word is said with Ridicule. "Whatever" comes out with a scoff, for who can take seriously what one argues is make-believe?

If a person acknowledges that an almighty God indeed exists, but suspiciously eyes Him as cruel to allow suffering, "Whatever" is spit out with sneering Resentment.

If a person knows of the sovereign God's commandments, but bristles at the idea of obeying them, "What-EV-er!" is snorted in Rebellion, throwing off the Creator's right of ownership.

If a person has acknowledged Christ as Savior, but sees grace as a licence to live as one pleases, "Whatever" is declared with Revelry in a life of continued sin—which dishonors the Savior's blood and undermines a claim of salvation.

If a person has asked for God's forgiveness through the atoning death of Jesus Christ and turned from sin, but does not yet appreciate that God's ways are for our benefit and not to spoil a good time, one will say "Whatever" with a sad sigh, in Resignation to God's will.

But if one finds the place of Rest offered by Jesus, one says "Whatever" in pleasant peace.

Whosoever believes in Jesus for eternal life may also believe in Him for His perfect will. It is possible, even amid hardship, to look heavenward with faith that God is orchestrating for our blessing whatever is beyond our control.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me,

for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."

~ Matthew 11:28-29 (NKJV)