September 30, 2016
Active Peace
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:4-7
Apart from God’s miraculous intervention, there is nothing that can bring peace to this world of ours in one fell swoop. The peace we are granted by God starts in our hearts and minds. It is preceded by prayer, petition and thanksgiving, transcending our understanding, while guarding our hearts and minds. Here is where the peace begins and through it we can continue to impart peace on the world around us. Peace is not an absence of action. Peace is a lively and vibrant state of activity, bustling with relationship building, altruism, joyfulness, thanksgiving, prayer, and holistic transformation. We should not aspire to arrive into a state of peace. Peace is an activity we should continually live out and invite others into.