A lot of the Christian books I’ve read about peace-making include some version of the teaching, “if you want to build peace beyond yourself, you have to first build peace within yourself.” Sure the sentiment makes a nice bumpers sticker, but I know there are a lot of us who aren’t feeling particularly peaceful with the state of our world.
Tag Archives: Peace
What road will we choose?
I’ve heard a lot of talk this week about the need to work for “peace.” I’ve heard a number of elected officials and church leaders call for reconciliation. I’m not praying for either of those yet. I’m not. One of the prayers our Prayer Book asks God to help us “fearlessly contend against evil and make no peace with oppression.”
I’m not praying for reconciliation. I’m praying for conversion. I believe we need conversion before we can talk about peace.
Peace the World does not Give
Jesus wants to focus his followers longing. He wants to give them peace, but for their sake, for honesty’s sake, he must redefine the term. He must re-orient them, give them new direction. Jesus does not give peace as the world gives peace.
Mike Angell 