Shalom

Shalom. A greeting but more. More than hello. More than goodbye.

Shalom. Peace in the complete security of God who holds everything.
Shalom. It is a well-wish that says, "May you live in the complete, consistent, grace-filled reality of Yaweh.

The world is anti-peace. Jesus Christ is peace. In fact, Jesus tells us that He brings us perfect peace. Being such a stranger to His holiness, I wonder what "perfect peace" looks like.

I think some of us attach peace to a setting. Some say peace is attached to sitting by a lake at sunset. Or peace is watching a sleeping infant. Or peace is the emotion that comes when Christ followers join together in singing.

But, is peace an emotion? If I feel it, I've got it? I think it's more than that.

Where legalism begins, grace ends. Where grace ends, peace ends.
Peace is a faith-filled confidence in who God is. It is complete. In the face of struggle it is calm and assured. It is based in trust. It is the fruit of relationship with God that teaches us that He is for us. He is fond of us.

When we say, "Shalom" we say, "May you know the peace of the completing love of God."

I wonder what anti-peace principles I have promoted in ministry.

If your peace has been undermined by me, my demands, please forgive me.

I am learning peace for myself. I wish I learned it sooner.