During the holidays, there is a focus on peace on earth and good will toward men, or at least there is a verbal desire for those more now then during the rest of the year. Obviously, both peace on earth and good will toward men are important things, and since we are more focused on them currently it seems like good a time to explore them a bit. So, over the next two weeks Team Swap is going to take a deeper look at both these concepts.
This week we will focus on peace on earth. Peace is something that always comes to mind this time of year, but do we really know what peace means. The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines peace as -
1 : a state of tranquillity or quiet: as a : freedom from civil disturbance b : a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom <a breach of the peace>
2 : freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
3 : harmony in personal relations
4 a : a state or period of mutual concord between governments b : a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmityDuring the holidays we usually focus on the first and fourth definitions above when we are talking about peace. Peace on earth is viewed as a ideal civil and political state that handled by various government officials, civil servants, and armies throughout the world. Historically nations would declare a break in the battle or the war during this time to allow for all parties to enjoy the celebrations. Really though in our current world the peace of the holidays should be more about the second and third definitions above.
This time of year, we are celebrating our families and our blessings (Thanksgiving in the US, family gathering through the rest of the world), and the birth of the Christ (Christmas). Rarely are these celebrations directly related to current politics and/or civil affairs. The only time these holidays are related to politics and community affairs is when your loved ones are currently in harms way, or serving in a job that requires them to risk their life for the good of others. There will always be a portion of people that have their loved ones away and in danger while they are celebrating, but the majority of celebrants do not.
The following paragraphs are not directed at those that live in oppressive or repressive nations. The purpose of this post is to challenge those that live in free and independent states, and are allowed to pursue their dreams with little to no interference, to appreciate what they have and value their lives. It is directly pointed at those in the United States that live so much better then the rest of the world, yet complain about their circumstances. Our visitors from other nations should read the following paragraphs, and work to keep their lives, families, and nations from becoming like those described below.
The point I am making is that this time of year we should be focusing more on our personal peace, then on civil and political conditions. Our personal peace is the thing that really determines how we live, how we react and how we handle life. If the majority of a nation has internal peace then one can easily imagine that the government and civil affairs of those people will most likely reflect their own personal inner peace. We can not expect a nation of unhappy and troubled people to manage themselves and their affairs peacefully and with calmness.
This time of year is about celebrating our lives, our blessings, and the hope of the world found in the birth of Jesus. Yet, it seems that the majority of things that we hear about this time of year are not related to those things. We see story after story about how unhappy people are today, how unsatisfied they are, how oppressed they are, and how unfortunate they are. I think if we look below the surface of most of these stories that we are will find a people that has little to no personal peace.
Those without a personal peace within them are prone to be unhappy, discontent, ambivalent, and disassociated. If you are not happy inside it is impossible to act continually happy on the outside. Sure we may be able to mask our true internal state temporarily, but long term our internal state will eventually come to the front of our personality and display itself in most, if not all, of our relationships, endeavors, and experiences. This time of year is stressful due to travel, family, social, and economic concerns that are all associated with the holidays. Many times, these stress’s will bring the nature of a person that is attempting to be masked to the front.
Many of those that are living with no real inner peace are trying to reach peace via their own actions, acquisitions, and habits. The problem is that no human is able to truly reach complete peace without some external and eternal aid. A human may reach a degree of peace and tranquility for a time, but eventually their peace will be challenged by life, and all they will have to depend on to maintain their peace is themselves, and that is not sufficient in times of stress, and trouble.
The great news is this is not how God desires any of us to live. The peace that is offered from God, via Jesus and the Holy Spirit, is one that is grounded and based in God’s permanence, and His authority. This is not temporary or human based peace. This is a permanent, assured peace that allows all that have it to know that they are never alone. When rough times come, and they will, those with true peace have more then themselves and their human relations to deal with it. Jesus directly tells us the following in John 14:27 - "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. ... Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid"
A few other scriptures that promise the peace of God to His people are found below:
Psalms 29:11 - The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.
-------------------------------------------------
Proverbs 16:7 - When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
-------------------------------------------------
James 3:17 - But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
------------------------------------------------------------------
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:7 Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David's throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
As the above scriptures show, a trait of God’s people is peace in their lives. That does not mean that they will not have struggles, temptations, failings and stresses. It simply means that God will always be with them, they will not be alone, and He will always be their counselor and guide in rough times. He will lead them through the dark valleys of their lives to glorious high places where they can rejoice in their blessings, successes, and victories, all of which have been provided to them by God.
