Peace, Imperfect Peace
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"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring, but a sword." -- Matthew 10:34 (ESV)
Terrible events of the last few weeks have dealt a great deal of anxiety and grief around the world, especially for Christians.
While the season of “Peace on Earth” fast approaches, since Christmas decorations are already showing up in retail establishments, real peace on earth seems to be the last thing achievable. The Apostle Paul reminds us to “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” (Colossians 3:2, ESV) That’s easier said than done.
An 1875 hymn came to mind — “Peace Perfect Peace” by Edward Bickersteth Jr. The first verse asks basically the same question, "Peace perfect peace, in this dark world of sin?” Other verses speak of being overwhelmed by duty, surrounded by sorrow, or caught in the “sharp throes of suffering.”
The hymnist offers the answer to these concerns: the blood of Jesus offers inner peace. To find rest, do the will of Jesus. Leaning on Jesus brings calm. Jesus keeps us and our loved ones safe. Jesus’ sympathy “breathes repose.”
Repose, an older term, is similar to being at leisure, or in a state of perfect emotional calm and balance.
It reminded me of Mr. Bennet’s answer near the end of the film Pride & Prejudice, after Lizzy becomes engaged to Darcy. Delighted that both eldest daughters were now engaged to suitable men, Mr. Bennet speaks to no one in particular, “If any young men come for Mary or Kitty, for heaven's sake, send them in. I'm quite at my leisure.”
While his wife has worried openly about marrying off five daughters, surely Mr. Bennet felt the weight of the responsibility as well and was happy that two more daughters would be married.
We don’t have to carry that kind of worry or fear. Our futures are knowable, because Jesus conquered death and sits on the throne. Eventually, he will call all believers to Heaven’s perfect eternal peace.
Peace, perfect peace.
"For he himself is our peace, who has made us one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility." (Ephesians 2:14)
Questions for Reflection:
1. When did you last find yourself in a state of repose? What led to that?
2. The classic Christian approaches to repose are reading Scripture, prayer, meditation, journaling, solitude, and nature. Have you tried any of these regularly?
