Greetings to the parishioners of steemchurch, Grace and peace be unto you all. I’m sure we have been fairing well in our journey in the blockchain. Thanks to Steemchurch of which I am a parishioner of and to @SirKnight for this great priviledge.
I recently wrote on Growing in faith as Christians, now I’ve come with a different message I wrote being inspired by Fr Abu.
INTRODUCTION
It’s the ultimate wish of every human to live happy, joyful and peaceful. No person who is in his or her normal mental state will want to in the midst of choosing between ‘leaving in peace’ and ‘living in fear’ will want to opt in for the latter category.
It is therefore certain that there’s a high demand for peace and a crave for happiness. Sadly, very many people who have this good craving do not know how to attain it. For some who have attained a high level of financial freedom, who thought that riches is the most important factor or the yardstick for measuring the level of peace, yet, they are distant away from this good substance – peace.
One can have so many mansions and yet be troubled, one can have so much acquisitions and yet be in a state of fear, hence, once material possession is not a determinant factor for the attainment of peace.
In the Book of John 14, Jesus the Master of Peace spoke to His disciples: (we can now take our main text)
MY PEACE I GIVE YOU
“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid” – John 14:27 (KJV)
Despite the problems and struggles we face in this world, Jesus said “Peace I leave with you…” What kind of peace is this that can exist in a darkened world, where humiliations, attacks and envy are present, where war tends to rise against us even that which comes from household, family, relatives whom we least expect betrayal from?
What kind of peace can we get when we are in the era of economic hardship, insecurity, pains, hunger, strife and bad governance?
Dear friends, as we reflect on these rhetorical questions, we must learn to interpret things the way God does. We have clearly seen that the biblical definition of peace contradicts that of the world. Little wonder Jesus added that phrase “not as the world gives, I give to you”.
THE PEACE OF CHRIST
The Peace of Christ is not that one that prevents us from tough times or oppositions; it’s not that one that assures us of the absence of troubles and tribulations; it’s not a peace that takes away the pains RATHER it’s the peace that gives us the confidence to walk through the “valley of the shadow of death, fearing no evil’.
It’s the peace that helps us to forgive easily and encourage us to act obediently to God’s Word despite the struggles and difficulties, perplexities and vicissitudes of life.
Fr Abu defines this peace as that which will make us happy even in poverty, not the peace of material security; a peace that allows you to turn to the other cheek when slapped; it’s a peace that allows us to surrender ourselves and our security to God alone.
Hence, this strange peace is truly not one that the world can understand, since it’s alien to them (just like dogs doesn’t eat metal, neither do fishes fly).
IN CONCLUSION
It’s only God that can lift up our countenance and give us peace (Numbers 6:26). True peace sources from Him and Him alone. Psalm 34:14 says “depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it”.
Therefore, we pray Psalm 29:11 upon us all - may the Lord give us (His people) strength and continue to bless us with peace abundantly. Amen!
