Those who make peace sow the seeds of justice by their peaceful acts. - James 3:18
As we celebrate our independence day, I know it will not be like so many before. We almost seem in a constant state of disbelief this year, as all of the celebrations we have become accustomed are celebrated a little differently this year. Still, I hope you have a fun and safe fourth of July.
I want to reflect on historically what must have been the most peaceful time in American History. After the end of the Revolutionary war, people went to work building a nation, building homes and towns, helping one another, and creating one of the greatest nations the world had ever seen. One built on the principles of peace and justice, with freedom to worship God however one saw fit, with freedoms of speech, assembly, basic human rights for all people. In this time of peace I can imagine neighbor helping neighbor, and people sharing what they had as each one had need. I imagine each community was a lot like the first century church and that it was thriving on this new found peace. However, in a world that is lost to sin, peace never seems to the last very long. It was not long before peace was threatened and people began, again to be against one another. It seems that we don’t know, on this side of heaven how to remain at peace.
Truthfully, I don’t understand why we as the human race cannot be at peace with one another. We constantly find reasons to be in conflict; over poverty, injustice, skin color, wearing masks, and these are just examples that list could go on forever. Even for those of us who are peaceful at heart, the peacemakers of the world; there always seems to be conflicts that arise, and places where peace simply cannot remain. I suppose this is why we all look onward to heaven, for God’s perfect peace to be revealed; a place where no more tears are shed and no more conflicts arise; a place where love is the common thread and no more wars are fought.
In this future place of peace, people will be together forever in the presence of our God, and the seed of justice and righteousness will have grown into the perfect tree of shade coving all. We should pay attention to those words, covering all. Even those who cannot find peace with one another in this life, should realize that in faith, we will be together in perfect community. I’m reminded of Dallas Willard’s remarks about the kingdom of heaven being more about what we do on this side of death, being more important.
When we have these moments of calm and clarity, we should realize that we are sowers of the seeds of peace. We are called to go into the world and spread the peace that surpasses our own understanding; that when we get to heaven we will join the great cloud of witnesses who are at peace, the peace that God has called us to work towards even as we are here upon the earth. God’s peace is for you today, that you would find peace within, and though conflicts may come our way, this peace will help us find justice and true righteousness under that banner of love, the banner of Christ. May we bring peace to others each and every day, as we have the freedom to do so.
Grace & Peace,
Sam