Peace
While the apostle Paul is imprisoned and awaiting execution for preaching the gospel, he writes to the Philippians. The letter is a joyful one, centered in grace and gratitude. It’s an unusual time to feel these things, but he believes that something better is possible. Paul writes, “…This is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you to determine what is best.. Dare to speak the word with greater boldness and without fear.” (Philippians 1:9-10a, 14b).
In the early days of the church, Paul is encouraging followers “…whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4:8-9).
Paul is teaching the followers (and us) that, if we want peace, here are the things we need to remember:
Do whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, pleasing, and commendable.
Speak boldly and without fear.
In the book of Matthew, Jesus is speaking to a crowd and says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9).
So, what does peace mean to you? What does peacemaking look like in practice? In our lives, what things have we learned, heard, and seen that we should keep on doing so that love overflows? How might our lives help spread the gospel with greater boldness?
Peace and peacemaking aren’t easy tasks. Lutheran pastor and theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer was a vocal anti-Nazi during the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich. He said, “There is no way to peace along the way of safety. For peace must be dared. It is the great venture. It can never be made safe. Peace is the opposite of security…peace means to give oneself altogether to the law of God… Battles are won, not with weapons, but with God. They are won where the way leads to the cross.”
Disappointed with the increasing divisiveness of our world, Minnesotan author and photographer John Noltner set out on a 40,000-mile road trip across the U.S. to interview people. In his interviews, he asked the question “What does peace mean to you?” for his new book “Portraits of Peace.” The book provides a lens through which we begin to see others and hear new voices in authentic ways. It sheds light on hope amid pain and division. It also shares John’s personal story as he moves outside of his conventional comfort and into new territory.
What does all of this mean for us?
Imagine daring to carry on the work of Jesus with grace, gratitude, joy, compassion, conviction – and a sense of adventure. How might you dare to believe that something better is possible by your own doing, knowing with confidence that the God of peace will be with you always? Challenge yourself to move beyond comfort, safety, and security toward openness and shared humanity. Allow love to overflow. Be vulnerable. Listen. Truly hear the stories of others. Search for hope where there is division. Live your life so that it proclaims God’s love with boldness and without fear.
“Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may move every human heart; that the barriers dividing us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; and that, with our divisions healed, we may live in justice and peace; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.” – Evangelical Lutheran Worship, p. 79
*John Noltner will be at Easter during Lent, as part of our study of his work.