Recently,
I was out on a photo shoot of churches and ran across these poles. I had heard the phrase on a 2015 CNN show
called the “The Wonder List” starring Bill Weir as he traveled through Bhutan
and Tibet. In Weir’s piece he was shown the Tibetan prayer flags and told that
they were prayers for peace. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prayer_flag)
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| As much as it depends on you, be at peace with all men Romans 12:18 |
I
thought it strange that I would see the same phrase on poles at Catholic,
Lutheran, and Baptist churches in America.
In my research I found these poles and the flags are used in an
international call to peace. “The idea of Peace Poles was first introduced by
Masahisa Goi in 1955 in Japan. The Peace Pole Project today is furthered by The World Peace Prayer Society.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peace_pole)
If we were all focused on peace, perhaps we could achieve “Peace on Earth”.
However, we all have our own wants, agendas, and idea of what peace looks
like. This can get in our way of mutual
peace.
As
is our rule, here on my blog, we turn to God’s word for instruction. Thankfully, His Word is full of wisdom on
this topic. This passage from Colossians 3:12-17 (NIV)
will be our guide today.
“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly
loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a
grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these
virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since
as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the
message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another
with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to
God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or
deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father
through him.”
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As members of one body
you are called to peace
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As God’s chosen people
As
believers we are His; holy and dearly loved.
When you are loved
and seen in a certain light, you generally dress the part. If tomorrow someone
told you your family was of royal line and you needed to go represent the
family at an event you would thoughtfully choose your attire. Well, God has a
wardrobe already picked out for His kids. Our new clothes include coverings such as
compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Bear with each other/Forgive one
another/Love
Along
with our wardrobe we have certain duties to perform. Bear, Forgive and Love.
Performing these duties can take time, purpose and self sacrifice. As a
representative of His, whose goal is peace, these duties bring unity that can
lead to peace. Many times when I am looking at actions to take I like to look
at the opposite actions to help me avoid slipping. The opposites of our duties
would be, merciless, blame and indifference.
“Now, may the Lord of peace himself
give you peace at all times and in every way.
The Lord be with all of you.” 2
Thessalonians 3 (NIV)
Let the peace of Christ rule in
your hearts
To follow
Christ’s example in all things is how we should be living our lives. Christ
followed what the father was doing. This gave Him peace. We can have this same
peace by daily walking in the same way. This is not just a suggestion. This
verse appropriately uses the word, “rule”.
But of course we have choices and we must be the one’s to choose to walk
in the example of Christ which then opens to door for peace to come. This verse
goes on to remind us to also be thankful. Thankful that peace reigns, when we
have a bad day and others frustrate us. Thankful that peace reigns, when that
driver cuts us off. Thankful that peace reigns, because Christ paid for it in
advance.
“The
fruit of that righteousness will be peace; its effect will be quietness
and confidence forever. My
people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in
undisturbed places of rest.” Isaiah 32:17-18
(NIV)
Let the message of Christ dwell among you
The message of Christ is eternal life. Life with the Father forever, only available for those who believe. As you teach one another this truth do it through wisdom, psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. I love the way this verse tells us to share the message. It is personal and includes worship songs as well as the story of our hearts. Our lives are the message as Jesus lives in us daily.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14 (NIV)
Whatever you do, do it all in the
name of the Lord Jesus
Peace is
a hard fought reward. It costs lives and freedom while giving life and
freedom. Isn’t it interesting that in
these last three phrases from our guide verse include giving thanks to God. We
do so because the fight for peace has already been won. It’s our job now to work it out daily in our
lives. We do that by raising the flag of peace and installing peace poles. Flags
and poles for all to see shown in our attitude, actions, and appearances. Flags
and poles that inspire our family members to live for Him and inspire
unbelievers to join the family.
"All this I have spoken while still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father
will send in my name,
will teach you all things and will remind you of
everything I have said to you.”
Matthew 25:45
Our Prayer &
Exhortation
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord
is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and
sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or
praiseworthy think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or
heard from Him, or seen in Him put it into practice. And the God of peace will
be with you. (based on Philippians 4 (NIV)
Click here to see a music video “Let the Peace of God Reign”
check out these websites:
http://worldpeace.org/
BONUS CHALLENGE
This next week,
focus on each of these verses from Psalm 85 – one each day.
Day 1
7 Show us your unfailing love, Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Day 2
8 I will listen to what God
the Lord says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants but
let them not turn to folly.
Day 3
9 Surely his salvation is near
those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
Day 4
10 Love and faithfulness meet
together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
Day 5
Day 5
11 Faithfulness springs forth from
the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.
Day 6
Day 6
12 The Lord will indeed give what
is good, and our land will yield its harvest.
Day 7
13 Righteousness goes before him
and prepares the way for his steps.
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