Shalom! Peace!
"Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace goodwill toward men!" (Luke 2:14)
Most of us when we think of peace we think of things like, the absence of war or maybe the absence of fear. That's how the world thinks anyway. However, to the ancient Hebrews, peace, shalom, meant something so much more than this. One definition I read stated it this way:
“Shalom” is taken from the root word shalam, which means, “to be safe in mind, body, or estate.” " True biblical shalom refers to an inward sense of completeness or wholeness.
Although it can describe the absence of war, a majority of biblical references refer to an inner completeness and tranquility."
Adam and Eve walked in perfect peace with God until the fall. But God in his mercy has provided us with a way back to perfect Shalom with him.
This second week of Advent we light the candle of Peace remembering that Jesus comes to us as The Prince of Peace.
Come thou long expected Jesus, born to set they people free, from our fears and sins release us. Let us find our rest in thee. Israel's strength and consolation, hope of all the earth thou art, dear desire of every nation, joy of every longing heart.
Peace is a gift from God. It gives us a sense of inner tranquility even when the world around us is anything but peaceful.
John 14:27 – Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Heavenly Lord, please help us to find our perfect peace in you. Heal our hearts from the fears and anxieties and stress of the world around us. Help us to exchange our weakness for your your strength. May we trust in you for our guidance and protection. May we be so filled with your perfect peace, shalom, that it overflows into the lives of others. For Jesus said, "Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the sons of God." (Matt. 5:9) Amen
May the Lord bless and keep you in his perfect peace during this second week of Advent.
Adieu!
Not to ignore the depth of the message of your post, which does thrill me, I want to say that is a beautiful table runner. Reminds me of both Frank Lloyd Wright and stained glass.
ReplyDeleteWell Thank you! I have had the joy of supporting a young man since 2009 through a children's home in Bali, Indonesia called My Father's Home. The director of that home is a personal friend and member of my church. Every year for many years she would go to the various villages in Bali and purchase things to bring back to the states which she would sell at a yearly holiday bazaar. It had a two fold benefit as it would help support the local merchants in Bali and then all the profits were poured back into the home. That beautiful runner you see, as well as the cloth under it, both came from one of those bazaars. The little boy I began supporting is now a wonderful young man filled with God's grace. He has just graduated from high school and is going to study art. It has been a real blessing to watch him grow up.
DeleteA peace...not as the world gives...is our peace! Peace with God because of what Jesus did for us. Lovely post!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your uplifting Advent 2 blog post. Your set of Advent candles with scriptures are so meaningful. I'm finding I need this time to reflect and prepare for Christmas more than ever.
ReplyDeleteBlessings dear Gloria.
A lovely blessing. And to you as well, Peace!
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