Peace
With Mike D’Silva
The greatest rebellion is "this world" trying to sabotage your peace.
While the modern understanding of peace is looking for a break from life’s turmoil, a biblical peace addresses our hearts.
I was recently asked in church to talk about Peace in our Sunday service. The Hebrew word for peace translates to Shalom or Shalam. Growing up in Oman, a country in the Middle East, I was often greeted with an Arabic greeting saying "Salam Alaikum", which translates as "peace be upon you". People in the region still greet each other with the phrase Salam or Shalom, meaning "well-being be upon you".
Having shalom means being in a state of wholeness or completeness, without any deficiency or lack. As a young Christian at the time, I found it fascinating it was commonplace to wish each other peace. In my journey in getting to understand my faith and peace, I've found the bible teaches us to address our hearts and to ask ourselves, are we at peace with ourselves, are we at peace with the people around us and finally are we at peace with God?
‘Now, may the Lord Himself, the Lord of peace, pour into you His peace in every circumstance and in every possible way. The Lord’s tangible presence be with you all.’ 2 Thessalonians 3:16
I'd like to end this blog with a greeting from the region where Jesus lived. People are often greeted at the end of a work week with Shabbat Shalom.
Shabbat Shalom is saying: "May you end the week with a rest that brings that inner peace that re-centres us on the One who gives it."
