“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives .” John 14: 27
Saint Paul called this “peace, that passes all understanding.”
It is God’s gift that we can accept and experience, but not earn, except through reconciliation with God. Prejudice, resentment, grievances and anger stand in the way, surrender to God’s influence brings healing from all of these, and opens up the possibility of a newly focused life, strengthened against the poisons that are so common in the world around us.
Early Christians called this “being in the world but not of it.” Often we question why God allows murderous conflict, war and disaster without intervention.
Maybe our idea of a loving God is not wide enough to include a God that allows us free will to live as we do, but intervening spiritually giving the option to accept what Saint Paul called the fruits of the spirit, which he lists as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The society in which Saint Paul lived was just as turbulent as it is today. Early Christians lived through it, with God’s support, as we may today, countering the tumultuous world by positive constructive acts of God-inspired, kindness, and reconciliation.
Many of us pray for peace, but God relies on us to make it part of our lives and to be a positive influence in our world.
Circumstances must not overwhelm us even though as individuals we may feel powerless to stop war and hate prevailing around the world.
The combination of many millions of peace seeking people, of all religions, under God’s influence must make a difference.
Geoff & Janet Fairbairn, Religious Society of Friends.