Beloveds in Christ,
I want to use this space to share some thoughts I’m having about peace. Here are two passages about peace and both are pertaining to Jesus Christ.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)

“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a
sword.” (Matthew 10:34)

In the first passage from Isaiah, the prophet indicates that Jesus will be called the Prince of Peace. In the second passage from the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus himself says that he has not come to bring peace, but a sword, and goes on to say that he will bring division among families.

As followers of Christ, we pray for peace: peace in the world, peace in our homes, peace in our hearts. We strive for that peace, and still it is not always easy to feel peaceful. The news outlets continuously stream stories of war and violence all around the world and within our political system. Conversations between friends, neighbors and family members can be rife with tension. Sometimes even the most innocuous statements can be catalysts for arguments. My husband has a shirt that reads, “be a good human” and when he wears it, he is regularly on the receiving end of eyerolls and snide remarks.

We crave peace, and sometimes the effort to make peace within our relationships with others, does NOT bring us inner peace. Or if we try to bring about peace in the community by making a stand for what we believe in, we break down the fragile peace between our family members and ourselves. If we try to tune out the world and all its troubles so that we can have inner peace, we are missing opportunities to live out our call as peacemakers and justice-bringers to the world. And all of it can be exhausting.

I think while we may crave peace, it might be more realistic and achievable to strive for balance:
balance between the work of justice and the need for rest. Jesus brings a sword and creates divisions so that we might see and hear more clearly the various points of view – and not quietly assume that all people think and believe and act the same way. This gives us an opportunity to engage in conversation and listen to others with open ears and open hearts. We do not have to agree with each other, but we can take the opportunity to at least understand and to build relationships built on respect and trust. We
all want to be heard, and respected and valued. Perhaps this is what brings us peace, in the end: The presence of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace, when he is brought into these difficult conversations we
have with one another and even within our own hearts as we pray.

In these turbulent times, let us strive to do the work of peacemakers, listening and honoring one another, taking breaks when needed, and inviting Jesus to bring his love into all the broken parts of the world. I welcome your thoughts about what I’ve written and ways you have found to create peace.

Peace be with you, and peace flow from you,
Pastor Sam

• On another note: my daughter Elle had the opportunity to participate in the GWIM Kids Club this year. This is what she had to say:

Quote: “I had so much fun being with these kids. Getting to know them and spend time with
them was always a delight. They were smart, funny, and absolutely adorable.”

Peace and blessings, Pastor Sam

CLICK HERE FOR VIDEO MESSAGES FROM PASTOR SAM!!