Scripture: John 14:25-27
"I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."
Peace, blessed Peace. Last week I defined the human understanding of peace found in the dictionary: “…tranquility; calm; the absence of conflict.” I suggested that when we attempt to apply that definition to Christ’s Peace we cannot help but be disappointed because by its nature, the world will always be in conflict on some level. Friction and turmoil drive nature. We may experience moments of calm, but they cannot last long. Even in the midst of those moments, chaos and conflict abound. They are simply beyond our scope of vision.
Compare the human “absence of conflict” definition with the essence of the peace Christ has given those who love and obey him. The original word he used for peace was “shalom.” In his culture, shalom was not defined as an absence of something. Instead, it was seen as the fullness of every possible good in heaven and on earth. What he has given is an overflowing of blessings from a loving, benevolent God. Unlike the typical human understanding, the Peace of Christ is not offered to us in moments. It is ours every minute of every day. To be one in whom the gift of Shalom is opened and enjoyed is to be one who is always aware and fully appreciative of the state of abundant blessedness in which one lives.
The Peace of Christ is one that enables us to live surrounded by natural conflict—without being pulled in or overwhelmed. There are Christians who are able to live in that state of Peace. Chaos pounds at the door, but because the focus is locked on God, the Shalom is never threatened. Most of us though, experience Christ’s Peace in glimpses. As we mature in faith, and the more devoted we are to growing, the longer and more frequent those glimpses last. Without question, an immaturity of faith prevents us from fully embracing that Peace. The depth of any relationship depends on the quality and quantity of time spent together. Prayer, study, worship, fellowship, service; immersing ourselves in the rhythms of the Christian faith—the Means of Grace—help us grow closer to God. To actually live continuously in a state of Peace requires spiritual maturity that comes through devotion, discipline and focus.
Beyond spiritual immaturity, there are other conditions that interfere with the opening of our gift. The Good News is we can begin to overcome every one of them, once our humility enables us to see them in ourselves.
Another obstacle to Peace is a guilty conscience. Christian or non-Christian, guilt can take a heavy toll. So much emphasis though, is placed on teaching believers the difference between right and wrong, and encouraging us to choose right and do good. We take the time to build personal, loving relationships with God through Jesus Christ. When we have done what we know disappoints Him—by action or inaction—the guilt can paralyze us.
When Hazel Goddard was a child, she and her brothers spent Saturdays at their grandparents’ farm, riding horses. This particular day, the boys galloped off as Hazel led her horse out of the barn. As she placed her foot in the stirrup she noticed a white chicken standing in the middle of the path. Its head was buried in its feathers, and it seemed to be picking at itself. Otherwise, it did not move. Curious, Hazel started toward it. Granddad called from the porch, warning her to stay away. It was sick, he told her, and he would take care of it. Hazel knew her brothers would race that way eventually, so she took some pieces of scrap wood from the barn and built a little fence around the chicken, trying to protect it as best she could. Then she did what she was told. She left it alone. 60 years later she could visualize that moment, and of it she wrote, “What a picture of the guilt-ridden Christian who, because he is more aware than the unbeliever, picks at himself constantly."
We are taught the difference between right and wrong. We’re also taught that when we do what is wrong, we will be forgiven. By our repentance, God cleans the slate so we can start again. But sometimes we don’t allow ourselves to accept God’s forgiveness, because we won’t forgive ourselves. The guilt turns us inside out, and we endlessly pick, pick, pick. If we would allow ourselves to just let go, the sin would die away. But instead we cling to it, rehashing, beating ourselves up with it. That only serves to keep it alive. So many Christians still carry the burdens of past wrongs. Things God forgave and forgot long ago.
We have a moral compass. His name is Jesus Christ. His teachings help us maneuver through life in a way that is intended to help us avoid the things that lead to regret and guilt. And he not only offers the example, but through the Spirit he empowers us to follow it. We might be able to avoid mistakes, but there is certainly nothing we can do to change what is already done.
In order to locate the core of our spirit where the Peace of Christ begins; in order to open the gift, we must learn to live with a clear conscience by letting the moral compass guide us, and by accepting God’s forgiveness, as we learn how to let go of the guilt and forgive ourselves. We are human and humans make mistakes.
We need so many things in this world. Forgiveness is only one, but it is so crucial to finding that sense of Peace. Forgiving ourselves, and forgiving others. Holding on to resentment in any form will stand in our way. We are smart enough to know that ultimately, anger hurts us far more than the one we are angry with. It hurts those who love us, too. Not only do our loved ones usually receive the biggest portion, the brunt of our anger, but because of their love, they grieve the unhappiness it causes us.
Some people seem to actually look for reasons to be unhappy. We gravitate toward the negative in any situation. It is as though, as long as we expect the worst, at least we will not be disappointed when it does not work out. That tendency is a protective mechanism we use to keep from being hurt. Our negativity becomes a shield to hide behind, and eventually holding it up becomes a habit. Habits can be broken! It takes work, and it happens over time, but it can be done. When the Peace of Christ is what we are seeking, this is an obstacle that must be pushed aside and released. Any lingering anger or pervasive negativity will continue to block our path.
In Rome there is a fountain called, “The Fountain of Rivers,” sculpted by Bernini in the 17th century. Directly across the street stands the Church of St. Agnes, designed by Bernini’s contemporary, an artist named Borromini. The church was completed just prior to the placement of the fountain. Bernini and Borromini despised each other. When Bernini created the fountain facing the church, he carved one statue with a hand covering its eyes as though it couldn’t stand to look at it—and another with its hands held up as if afraid the building would fall on it. Four hundred years later the legacy of their anger still lives. The pettiness is almost laughable. I wonder though, when we look honestly at ourselves, do we see anger and pettiness? How funny it is to think about the kind of legacy that may remain after we are gone? Those artists are best remembered for their feud, not their beautiful craftsmanship. I find that very sad.
Trusting and following the moral compass in order to help us live with a clear conscience; allowing forgiveness to cleanse us of the poisons of self-hatred, fear and anger toward others. Those are ways to open our path to the core of our spirit, where we find the Peace of Christ. And just one more, for now: Acceptance.
We restless humans sometimes wonder, ”Is this all there is to life?” Or we think, “If I only had ____I could be happy. If I could be ____, or if I could do ____, I’d have peace.” It will never be. By the time we have what we think we want we already want something else. Lasting satisfaction in life emerges from Perpetual Peace – and that does not come from what we have or what we accomplish, or anything else outside of self. It only comes through the loving, trusting relationship we build with God.
When there is a restlessness that comes from dissatisfaction with life, it exacts a heavy price. But restlessness is not always an indication of one who is unhappy, or who has yet to find one’s spiritual core. When given to God, a restless nature can be used for His purpose. And yes, I am very aware that I may well be attempting to justify my own restless nature.
Leisha Callan and I had a conversation several months ago. At one point, we talked about how interesting it was, how two children from the same gene pool could be so different in every way. My children are opposites in every sense of the word, and though my daughter may look more like me, it is my son whose nature is similar to mine. Without even a pause, she replied, “Driven?” Actually, the word that had come into my mind was “focused,” but “driven” probably applies too. In fact, I know it does. And, sometimes I have to be reminded (the hard way) to let go of the wheel—or at least stop giving directions from the backseat so God can do what He does so much better than I. Be God. With my strong, independent will, sometimes He probably feels like He’s “Driving Miss Daisy.”
God and I came to terms with that more unfortunate side of my nature a long ago. We are working together, He and I, to fine-tune it. Still, we are both aware of where it comes from: my passion for Him. Peace and passion do not necessarily stand in contradiction. They can work hand-in-hand. Look at the Apostle Paul, for example. His was a driven nature long before he met Christ, and it was no less driven after. But he was able to give that drive to God, and instead of changing it, God used it. Even though driven and restless, battered by conflict from every direction, Paul lived in a state of Perpetual Peace. We read it in his letters. In Philippians, Chapter 4 he tells specifically of his contented spirit.
Conflict is the nature of life. When we take our eyes off God and stop practicing the spiritual rhythms, it will seep in and work its havoc on us. But perpetual Shalom can be had by all when we move aside the obstacles: (1) follow the moral compass in order to live with a clear conscience; (2) let go of lingering guilt, hurt, fear, and anger; (3) learn to forgive and be forgiven; (4) and stop waiting for the circumstances around us to change, convincing ourselves that when they do, we will be happy.
It is ours, this Peace of Christ. But like any gift, it must be accepted and opened in order to fully appreciate it. It must be embraced in order to receive all of its benefits.
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not let them be afraid."
