Devotion: Peace
Please take a moment to read John 20:19-23
Peace be with you!
This is such a familiar text. We have said these words often in church to greet each other. But what are we really saying, and what did Christ mean with this peace? I learned there are so many kinds of peace: war-time peace, peace and quiet, circumstantial peace, and then there’s God’s peace.
That has to be the one Jesus was referring to when He met with the disciples that first day of the week. The chosen few were scared they were all going to die. The room was locked, and in their midst stood their teacher saying, ”Peace be with you!” He had to say the right words to get their attention and calm them. That is exactly the correct definition I found for peace- “the presence of calm in the midst of chaos!” What a perfect reminder of what the disciples were sent to do! Be the presence of calm to their followers for the church’s future.
At this past Sunday’s 11am service, I got to witness parents placing beautiful hand-made prayer shawls on their senior’s shoulders. They were presenting calm to what their children might see as a chaotic future, with big changes. They were sending them out, much like Jesus sent His disciples to do God’s work. They were arming them with God’s peace dwelling in their hearts and in what they say and do. What a perfect gift to comfort and help them pray for that peace we all seek! My eyes were leaking, but I felt such pride in these families, publicly passing the baton of faith for the future of our world.
Dear God, We thank you for the peace you give us each time we pray. Let the Holy Spirit enter us with a calmness that brings our life into focus and clarity. Let our hearts be filled with love for our world.
Amen
Written by Cindy Swanson
Cindy and her husband, Ray, have been members of Sheridan Lutheran Church since 1978. They have three sons, Ben, Andrew and Patrick who were confirmed at Sheridan. They enjoy spending time with their grandchildren who range in age from 8-13 with newborn twins. Cindy retired from teaching writing to middle schoolers for Lincoln Public Schools in 2014. She savors a good cup of coffee, a well-written book, a lively discussion and chocolate. She lives near a cemetery and knows each day is a gift!