A Norvell Note
September 15, 2024, Vol. 28 No. 36
Peace
“Before you speak of peace, you must first have it in your heart.”
—St. Francis of Assisi
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Jesus speaking in Matthew 5:9, Emphasis mine)
If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18, Emphasis mine)
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-25, Emphasis mine)
I’m talking mainly to those who claim to be followers of Jesus. I think we have missed something when it comes to peace. God wants us to be people of peace.
Perhaps we’ve missed it by accident. Maybe we have never noticed Jesus’ teachings on peace, though I don’t see how. Perhaps we have intentionally ignored Jesus’ and the New Testament writer’s instructions on peace.
Maybe we’ve simply misunderstood the teachings on peace. Perhaps we have concluded that peace is only about inner peace that involves sitting quietly with our hands folded in our laps and a serene little smile on our faces. Or maybe we excused ourselves and relegated being at peace to someone else. “It’s just not my gift.”
Yes, I think we have missed something.
When Jesus spoke about peace, He called on us, His followers, to be people of peace. We are to be the examples. We are to lead the way, being people of peace.
Yet, it seems we too often choose the opposite route. We fret, and we worry; we moan and cry in fear. We gripe and complain and accuse and threaten. We judge, criticize, and exclude. Where is the peace in that? How are we any different?
I think we can be better. Indeed, we can be better. I pray we can be better. Let’s be better.
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2024 Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved