Soul Searching: Questions that Define Our Life of Faith
Where does peace come from?
Scripture: Luke 19:41-42
There is snow. Gorgeous. Pristine. Quiet. Cross country skiing snow. The sleeping forest with lace-covered branches snow. Paddling down the river that refuses to freeze kind of snow with flakes that quietly cling to my shoulders, nose and eyelashes. Curl your hands around a steaming cup of coffee or hot chocolate while sitting on the cozy ledge of the bay window with a book kind of snow. Close to God snow. And then there is dirty snow. Slush on the side of the road snow. Shovel the driveway AGAIN snow. Be careful on your way to work or school snow. One brings a depth of inner peace that most of us long for. The other brings angst and a familiar ache in my lower back.
What is the key ingredient that makes for an experience of peace? My attitude? My environment? How rested and relaxed I feel at any given moment? How present I am to God or even to myself regardless of where I am and what I’m doing?
This week we are reflecting on the theme of peace. Inner peace. Peace within our families, our neighborhoods, and other important relationships. World peace. Take your pick. I’m interested in a few things. Where do you think peace comes from? Do you consider yourself a peaceful person? When do you feel most peaceful? Why do you think peace is so elusive and hard to come by these days? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts . . .
Where does peace come from?
It resonates with me that peace is deeply connected to righteousness and a just way of living. There is immeasurable peace in doing something that makes a positive difference. I get that. You can also certainly put yourself in a receptive environment and try to adjust your state of mind to cooperate (giving up control) to attempt a state of peace. But I have, indeed, experienced peace gently and magically settle in my soul.
Where does peace come from?
I've found that peace is less a consequence of circumstances and surroundings than it is a consequence of connections. . .connections to a sense of God's presence and to other people who share that sense. That said, I've also found it easier to be aware of those connections in certain circumstances and surroundings. Standing in a circle with other guests and a group of monks at a retreat center in Santa Barbara, CA was one of those (literal) mountaintop moments of peace.
I do find peace from getting away from it all. I've learned, however, that the point is not for me to get away and stay away. It's to get away in order to return with a renewed sense of the connections that sustain me.
That's been my Lenten reflection this year. Rather than giving something up for 40 days I'm working to take on a new way of being, specifically related to financial stewardship, to carry throughout my life. It struck me this year, for the first time I think, that Jesus' deprivation in the desert was really a footnote to the story. The main theme was his total embrace of His Father's love and presence to sustain him. He found peace in a difficult circumstance and brought that peace to every part of his ministry.
Where does peace come from?
like what lori wrote regarding control; let go and let GOD.
consider the lilies of the field.
reminded also of the song we sang growing up in church, "all is well, all is well, with my soul, with my soul, all is well with my soul."
does not say i am perfect, but i'm on the right path at the right place at this particular moment; being led onward by the voice saying " walk with ME, work with ME-watch how I do it. learn the unforced rhythms of grace......keep company with ME and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." matt 11; 28-30
Where does peace come from?
Yes, I think peace is an active process too. You don't feel it when you try to live like your on an island by yourself. It comes from giving up control. From Where Your Treasure Is by Eugene Peterson, "...come out of the ocean of the self and stand on our own two feet on the dry land of the kingdom of God."
Home with two sick boys today! No fun! Thanks for the chance to connect again. We miss Genesis!
Lori Pierre
Where does peace come from?
We miss you too! I think you are both on to something. peace is more than something that gently and mysteriously settles in your soul. In the Old Testament peace is something that is actively pursued and sought after. It is very active and deeply connected to righteousness and a just way of living and treating each other. As one of my professors once reminded us, it takes great effort to beat swords into ploughshares.
Where does peace come from?
My ideas on Peace have changed over time. When I was younger, I would have answered that Peace was getting away from it all usually somewhere outdoors. Basically, getting away from the Rat Race. Now though, I have come to see Peace as something that requires interaction with others. I still enjoy the peacefulness of being alone and away from it all, but I think real Peace is an active process. It is something we have to do, not something that we create by running away from it.
An example. Early on in marriage, when there was a disagreement I tended to withdraw to find peace. Rarely did it come that way. It required face to face discussion of the problem instead of running away. (not that I have perfected this by any means)
Why is it elusive? Because most people still see it as running away instead of an active process. Our culture equates peace with empty beaches, plenty of sun and a cold drink in our hand. Maybe I am alone, but I have never experienced "peace" with my family on a beach (or vacation) unless I actively work to make it so.
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