Faith | Let’s find a common understanding and application of the word ‘peace’
Peace is a rather elusive word.
Even though it seems to be a near-universal or archetypal concept valued and promoted in most social, civic, and religious bodies, finding a common understanding and application isn’t easy.
There are several aspects of peace that are worth considering. For example, external peace (between persons or between groups) and internal peace (within oneself).
Many believe that peace is much more than simply absence of conflict; that peace is part of a bigger picture of comprehensive health and vitality—again, eternally and/or internally.
From there is a type of chicken-or-egg discussion: does eternal peace stem from internal peace, or vice versa? Does each require or depend on the other or can they exist independently? Indeed, there are lots of questions as we ponder this widely held virtue.
I think of peace as a Gift.
While one can “DO the things that make for peace” (Holy Bible; Luke 19:42), maybe peace first comes to us unbidden, perhaps unwarranted—a gift of merciful grace.
At any age we can receive a gift of peace, from a loved one offering a hug amid our tears, to a classmate who affirms your contribution to a difficult assignment; from a neighbor who despite differing political yard signs rakes up your leaves as well as theirs, to a co-worker who doesn’t rub your nose in an error you made.
I also think of peace as Journey.
Step by step as we make our ways through our lives, we may stumble only to discover an outreached and stabilizing hand, we discover new vistas or perspectives, we meet new people including those who look or live differently than us, we get lost and are found, our hopes and fears rise and fall like ridges and valleys, sometimes we see forests or deserts, other times we see trees and sage brushes.
I’m mindful of several movies with a journey motif: “The Straight Story,” “Trip to Bountiful,” “The Incredible Journey,” and more recently, “The Last Bus.” While there may be a goal in mind (see below), it is often the journey itself—the unfolding of experiences, the review of yesterday and anticipation of tomorrow—that creates or manifests peace.
Peace is also a type of Response, a purposeful reaction to an action.
Whether the action is negative or positive, the response is rooted and delivered in peace. Sacred scriptures refer to this virtue and courageous practice as “turning the other cheek,” or “going the second mile,” or returning good for evil. Giving up the right to be offended may feel risky, but it is a peace-response of the highest order. Of course, if the action is positive, the reaction is likely that of gratitude.
Lastly, peace may be a Goal.
In the above movies, each journey ended with a sense of peace—personal and shared. Arrival at one’s destination or conclusion of their journey; for a train, the building is called the terminal. Thus, at your life-terminus may you arrive at peace and in love.
Timothy J. Ledbetter, DMin, BCC is a retired American Baptist-endorsed professional chaplain and member of Shalom United Church of Christ in Richland. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.
