Celebrate Peace

John 14:27(ESV)

27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

With all the turmoil in the world it almost slipped by most of us…even though it was on the news and several pictures of the event were shown the end of the Iraq war came and went with very little notice.  As I watched the pull out I thought about several people I have known who had served in this conflict.  We all know people that were affected by this war.  I thought as I watched the convoys pull out back to the beginning of the war. 

It started with Shock and Awe.  We all remember tracers filling the sky bombs exploding all over Baghdad.  We watched as the type of convoys pulling out starting pouring into Iraq with little or no resistance.  I remember people celebrating the end of a dictatorship by the tearing down of statues and celebrating the beginning of a new democracy by the proud display of a purple finger signifying a vote. 

It seems that we remember the start of the conflict very vividly but the start of peace I am afraid will be less remembered.  No bands, No Iraqi government officials thanking or seeing us off.  No celebration of Peace.

I think this is true is life as well.  We tend to remember the most traumatic things in our life in vivid color while seeing everyday peace seems to be in black and white.  Why do we do this?  Is there something inside of us that craves conflict?   Is there something inside of us that craves turmoil?    If we are honest there is a bit of excitement in turmoil but to live that way constantly brings on stress, destruction, depression and fear for those of us who may be addicted to it.  Peace even though everyone says they wanted often is taken for granted until one no longer has it.

This year what if you and I celebrated the peace we have in Christ by bringing peace to situations and people we are in contact with?  It won’t be easy…in fact it will mean self-sacrifice.  It will mean choosing peace over our rights.  It will mean choosing peace when everyone around you wants you to choose sides. 

It may not make sense to others when we live this way.  However in choosing to live this way we will not only be living a more Holy life, but we will be choosing a life free from fear, guilt and turmoil.  The truth is that peace is contagious.  If we are consistent in choosing peace those around us will be drawn to it.  It will also provide and opportunity to share where our peace in the midst of life comes from…Jesus our Lord.

So this year…Choose peace!  Just a Thought.

Grace and Peace to You

Pastor Scott