Devotion: Shalom

“Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you… peace be with you.’” John 20:19-21

In 2009 the app game, Angry Birds was released and by 2010 it had been downloaded 12 million times. When you think about it, Angry Birds was kind of a weird game. Birds generally are not seen as angry creatures. The fact that they were catapulted was odd – especially because birds can fly! And the user sent the birds rocketing towards fragile structures, with the hope of complete destruction. In fact, anything other than complete destruction prevented the player from moving to the next level.  

The game, as odd as it sounds, is kind of a proper metaphor for where we are in life. Of course we know of exceptions, but by and large, we are often surprisingly angry (much like the concept of an angry bird). And we fling our anger towards anything – especially the fragile – to cause as much destruction as we can. It is actually kind of crazy when you think of the parallels to our life and the game.  

For the next several weeks, we will explore the concepts of peace and peacemaking. In my sermon on Sunday, I detail the how we tend to see peace as the opposite as anger. While there is some truth to this, peace is so much more that what we see as an anger-free or placid life.

One thing we know about peace is that it is of the highest priority to Jesus. Let’s face it, when the Risen Christ returns, in the midst of all the chaos of his death and resurrection, he would be laser focused in addressing the disciples. So, not only does he start with the words, “Peace be with you,” but he repeats them. He also sends the disciples into the world after he has given them the gift of peace. In my way of thinking, being a peacemaker is of the highest callings God in Christ Jesus has for you.  

Do you hear God’s call to be a peacemaker? Before you answer, think about how you are when you’re angry. Perhaps you catapult into the vulnerable spaces to inflict as much destruction as you can? Or maybe these days, worrisome as they are regarding our elections, you are drawn into a societal discord?  

As your pastor, I invite you to check yourself on these issues. And I ask, as your pastor, that you consider God’s call to peacemaking. My friends, peacemaking is the way of Christ, and peace is a gift from God.  

Gracious God, help us to heed your call to peacemaking. In these weeks, engage us, we pray, in the work of understanding the full implications of peace, and our role in it. We pray these things, in the name of the Risen Christ. Amen. 

Written by Pastor Greg Bouvier

Join us for worship each weekend – Saturdays at 5:30pm and Sundays at 8:30am, 9:45am and 11am.
Worship is also live online each Sunday at 9:45am on our website, YouTube channel and Facebook page.

---