Pursue Peace

Pursue Peace (image courtesy of The Believing Woman)

“Whoever would love life and see good days...must seek peace and pursue it.” (1 Peter 3:10-11, NIV) When I think about the word “pursue”, I associate it with “chasing” or “being chased”. I think of Moses and the Children of Israel being pursued by Pharaoh's army as they stood on the shore of the Red Sea. I think of David being pursued by Saul after being anointed king by Samuel. I think of Elijah pursued by Jezebel and taking refuge in a cave. In all three instances, the pursuit of these men and people (the Children of Israel), the aim was to cause harm. Some of you may have dreamed of being pursued and fleeing from a captor. This is how the word pursue triggers memories and prior experiences in my mind. But what does Peter mean when he says we ought to “pursue peace”? The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines the word “pursue” as a transitive verb with the meaning, to follow in order to overtake, capture, kill, or defeat. To overtake, capture, kill or defeat all seem to be in opposition of the biblical concept of peace. Am I to overtake peace? Capture peace? Kill peace? Defeat peace? I don't think Peter had this in mind. The Greek word for seek is zēteō (zā-te'-ō), it means to seek in order to find: to seek a thing to seek [in order to find out] by thinking, meditating, reasoning, to enquire into to seek after, seek for, aim at, strive after The Greek word for pursue is diōkō (dē-ō'-kō), it means to run swiftly in order to catch a person or thing, to run after: to press on: figuratively of one who in a race runs swiftly to reach the goal to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire I have the impression of woman Christ described who lost a coin and searched for it in her home, diligently sweeping the floor until she found it; she pursued that coin! She was motivated so that nothing hindered her progress. The goal being to find her lost coin! I believe Peter is encouraging us to pursue peace with the same enthusiasm and attitude. We should be eager to have peace, we should be earnest in our efforts to maintain peace and we should be focused so that our aim is to maintain peace. Why is peace so important in the life of a Christian? I believe it is so easy to sink in the quagmire of contention and conflict. I’m driving down the street and the car behind me continually blows his horn for me to move. I become upset and begin to respond to his behavior. A situation like that cries for peace, yet instead, I engage in conflict. I believe that when I act from my emotions in a negative way that contradicts the Spirit of God, peace flees from me. I must remember to focus on obtaining peace, I must learn how to maintain peace, I must practice the pursuit of peace. “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.” (1 Peter 3:10-12, NIV) Three changes in my life allow me to have peace: Keep my tongue from evil and my lips from deceitful speech Turn from evil and do good I must seek peace and pursue it written by MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

A Chance for Real Peace

A Chance for Real Peace

“…All we are saying is give peace a chance All we are saying is give peace a chance” -- John Lennon

During 1969, John Lennon released the song, “Give Peace A Chance” as a protest song against the Viet Nam War. There were many songs written during this period of American History in response to war, but this is easily one of the most recognizable. The sixties were really a time when communism reached its apex. Today, the Berlin Wall is just a memory, The Soviet Union, no longer a world power, doesn't even exist and China no longer sees itself as a communist empire. In spite of this, the world remains engaged in warfare. Africa, India, the Middle East, it seems as if no matter the time of day, some armed conflict is occurring. Even in America, there is something called an ideological war taking place between political parties, religious groups and other philosophies. The world’s view of peace is far different than God's. We easily see the opposition, our human enemy, but we fail to see how we oppose God. Though Lennon sang about peace, he railed against everything which he opposed; even God. With all the warring taking place, does anyone really understand what peace is? Does humanity want a chance for real peace? We think of peace as a state of tranquility and quietness. Peace to us is harmony in relationships; it is an agreement to end hostilities. That kind of peace involves two opposing sides. Spiritual peace is totally different. It is something beyond my reach. No ability on my part can possibility attain it. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” (John 14:27, NIV) When Christ was about to leave the world he made his will. His soul he committed to his Father; his body he bequeathed to Joseph, to be decently interred; his clothes fell to the soldiers; his mother he left to the care of John: but what should he leave to his poor disciples that had left all for him? Silver and gold he had none; but he left them that which was infinitely better, his peace. “I not only give you a title to it, but put you in possession of it.’’ He did not part in anger, but in love; for this was his farewell… as a dying father leaves portions to his children… Peace is put for all good, and Christ has left us all needful good, all that is really and truly good, as all the purchased promised good. Peace is put for reconciliation and love; the peace bequeathed is peace with God, peace with one another; peace in our own bosoms seems to be especially meant; a tranquility of mind arising from a sense of our justification before God. (Matthew Henry Commentary) The Greek word for peace, eirēnē (ā-rā'-nā) means, the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot. Security, safety, prosperity, felicity (because peace and harmony make and keep things safe and prosperous). Who among us is capable of negotiating peace with the Everlasting God? As a species, humanity has no capability of initiating peace with God! The real war has ended though. In that war, Christ died so that all might live. All humanity was on the wrong side of righteousness; none stood right with God. But God revealed His plan…a way that maintained His holiness, integrity and word, while providing humanity with the way of peace. Peace with God. I am no longer a prisoner, held captive by sin. When Christ died on the cross, He made the way accessible for me to stand before the throne of grace. I myself have access to the Holy of Holies, I have peace with God. Christ has given me the chance for real peace. written by MTJ

A Note of Thanks: I would just like to say that I appreciate each of you who visit My Thought-filled Journey. Taking time out of your schedule to read a post on this blog is encouraging to me. Many of those who visit, will from time to time leave a comment. Whether a comment is left is not important. What is important, is that you came. I do hope you find encouragement and inspiration in these words. Please know I will pray with you regarding any circumstance you may be facing. Feel free to write me to say "Hello", request prayer, or share what God is doing in your life. I have not said it enough, but thank you for the light of Chist in your life which illuminates the way for us all.

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).

More Grace

God's reach has no limits

I’m driving down I-695, talking with God; asking for His grace and blessing. In my feeble mind, I want an answer…waiting…waiting…waiting. The Holy Spirit joins the conversation and points out where, when, and how God extended grace to me. Have I been sleeping? How could I not see Jehovah Jireh providing on my behalf? “But He gives us more and more grace…” I remember watching how an airplane refuels in flight. The fuel plane extends a hose which connects to the plane’s fuel tank. God is greater than a fuel plane, His grace has no limits to His extent; He extends to us more and more grace. What is grace? Whatever grace is, God give us more and more of it. Joy, pleasure, delight, peace, good will, loving kindness, concern, care, provision, hope, and life. Grace is all this which God gives and more! God commits Himself to us! He gives Himself to us! Grace cannot be summed up in one word, or a lifetime of words. Have you ever sought the Lord as Paul did when he had a thorn in the flesh? Well, I have! And the word of the Lord resonated in my spirit just as it did in Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you...” Sometimes the distance between me and God appears so vast, and yet, His grace extends beyond that distance! “...Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think...” God isn’t just able to do, He gives us more and more grace! Poem by MTJ

Note: This post is linked to Spiritual Sundays (hosted by Charlotte).