If we have found peace and joy in life, it is often not because we have procured it for those less fortunate than ourselves, but rather because we have become successful at ignoring the relative lack of things peaceful and joyful in the lives of people whose paths we cross everyday.

I was really struck by that statement in the September 11th Ignite devotional. I think if you ask anyone, “Do you want peace in your life?” No matter where they are in their spiritual journey the answer would be, “Yes, of course.”

For the world, the word “peace” generally refers to the absence of war or the resolution of external conflict. We see peace rallies, peace marches, and peace signs. People of all faiths pray for world peace. It’s become the cliché beauty pageant answer.

When the Bible refers to peace it’s usually referring to an internal peace that means to be complete or whole. The Bible tells us that genuine peace can only be experienced when we allow God to fill the emptiness of our hearts and remove the stain of sin and guilt. “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6 NIV

Peace is one of the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22). It’s a good thing. It’s something a Christian should want, right?

That’s why it rocked my world when I read, “If we have found peace… it is often… because we have become successful at ignoring the relative lack of things peaceful… in the lives of people whose paths we cross everyday.”

How can I as a Christian be at peace when there are thousands of people dying of poverty and disease every day? How can I be a peace when family members, friends, coworkers, and friends are headed towards a Christless eternity? How can I be at peace when people around me are suffering the pain of divorce, loneliness, addiction, abuse, and neglect?

In experiencing the “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7) we see God’s holiness (perfection). Seeing God’s holiness causes the brokenness of this world to stand out in stark contrast. And if we open our eyes to that brokenness, it breaks our hearts. Our hearts cry out, “That’s not right! It should not be that way!” We’re left with a “holy discontent.” So, the peace of God produces a lack of peace???

It’s ironic.

Jesus is called the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), and yet he said “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34 NIV)

It’s perplexing.

Perhaps there are Christians wiser than I that understand this and can make sense of it to me some day, but for now I’m going to embrace and live in the dissonance of peace and discontent that come from God at work in my heart.

Peace be with you - or maybe not - or perhaps both.

~ Paul Steinbrueck

This entry was posted on Saturday, September 15th, 2007 at 2:00 am and is filed under Week 4: Ravaged by a Holy Fire. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.