Daily Devotions

As we enter November and on towards another Remembrance Season, we will take a look at what the gospels say about War and Peace. Switch on the Television and you’ll quickly discover one thing, that we live in a far from peaceful world. The conflicts on so many fronts, relentlessly beam right into our living rooms, and we are left with the stark reality that the news is anything but edifying of humankind. We are left wondering if there is ever going to be a time when peace will prevail instead of war.

Why do we live amidst so much turmoil?

I think that one answer is that so many people’s individual lives are in turmoil. Often, the outward conflict is evidence of an inward problem that so many folk have, and such personal conflict gives birth war, struggles and strife across our world. Personal inner contention sadly develops into the lack of peace found across communities and nations.

How, amidst such conflict can we discover peace? Peace movements are nothing new. There have been demonstrations for peace both individual and across society  across the ages, yet, the peace sought is so illusive. Is this because peace within ourselves is so often absent. Is our unspoken question; “what is true peace anyway?” Well, I believe that Jesus gives us the best insight.

In the John 14:27 we find Jesus saying. “Peace is what I leave with you. It’s my own peace that I give you. I don’t give it as the world does.” We all yearn for inner peace, for peace in our families and in our communities and we are stunned into a a reluctant resignation that wars seem never-ending, where peace seems distant hope. Yet today we should  ask Jesus for the peace he offers us, and seek the grace to be like him, bringing peace wherever we are.

Peace, shalom, does not mean escape from trouble, or its avoidance. It means being grounded in God. Then no experience, even prison or pain or loss or war can shake our peace. Well might we pray,

Dear Lord and Father of humankind,
Forgive our foolish ways;
Reclothe us in our rightful mind,
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.

Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
Till all our strivings cease;
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.

Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm;
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
Speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm.

- John Greenleaf Whittier