Shalom
שלום
PEACE
To some people, the idea of peace is a stress-free day. To others, peace is the serenity of a gorgeous sunrise or sunset. Whatever your definition, peace is something we all want. But do you pursue it? Do you see peace? Do you chase after it every day?
An ancient Jewish tradition, peace was valued more than truth. The rabbis would argue that if there was a situation in which truth and peace were against each other, peace should take precedent. Perhaps, this is because the Hebrew word for “peace” is shalom, which means to be holy unified with God and others. Among the rabbis, it was more important for you to be unified with God and others than to be right. I have a Jewish friend who puts this idea into modern terms when he says, “you are more important than my view” but how often do we get this the other way around and put our need to be “right” in ahead of people?
The first believers in God taught us that those who follow God should love peace, and pursue it, love their neighbors, and attract others to the God. This is the peace of Jesus Christ offered. He said of God-peace of God, and peace with each other. This sort of peace that attracts people to the truth. In this crazy world Jesus stated that, “in the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world”. (John 16:33). Peace is a place of true confidence in Jesus and how He overcame all problems through the peace that He brought through Calvary.
Does your life exhibit peace like this? How will you attract people to God today through the peace you display?