Live Peace

8 Jan

“Peace on earth will come to stay, when we live Christmas every day.” ~ Helen Steiner Rice

Peace is sorely needed in our world. Peace is sought after by many individuals and nations. However, peace will never truly be realized until each of us actually chooses to live in peace. In the Gospel of Luke, when Jesus sent His disciples out to proclaim the Good News, He instructed them, “Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.” (Lk 10:5-7)

So peace has to begin with us. The only problem with that proposition is that peace actually has to begin with us and by that, I mean peace must begin within. How many people live in shambles because they are not at peace with themselves? All they seem to be able to do is point out their faults and failures. They cannot rise above a sense of hopelessness and helplessness. These people cannot be peacemakers because they are not at peace with themselves.

As we continue our Christmas Season, we might want to take a look at how we see ourselves. Are we happy people? Are we content with the gifts that have been given to us by God? Are we self-conscious? If there is not an inner balance in our lives, living Christ’s peace is going to be next to impossible.

Perhaps that is one of the reasons that New Year’s resolutions often involve some kind of self-improvement. If we feel better about ourselves, we feel better about our world. And if we feel better about our world, we treat those in the world with peace and love.

Peace be to you today. I hope those words rest upon you and remain with you.

FAITH ACTION: Ask God to give you a deeper sense of inner peace.