With all the events that have been taking place on a global level, I am worried about peace. It is interesting that as we celebrate different holidays and cultural events the words of peace usually accompany the sentiment. Let there be peace on earth, or Pax Hominibus are common Christmas phrases that are recanted during the season, but can we truly achieve peace?
Peace by definition is freedom from disturbance, quiet and tranquility. Is that an obtainable goal on a planet with seemingly millions of ideologies? I think so! I was reminded by an 8th-grader (thanks, River!) this week that peace is not a spectator sport. Let’s look at this differently. When is the last time you intentionally made peace? I don’t mean when did you take the high road in a disagreement or a conflict. When is the last time that you woke up and said to yourself, “Today I am going to make peace”? In honesty, I could not remember the last time I made a conscious effort to do this. In my experience, peace is a reaction to a situation, but if we truly want peace shouldn’t we make it a priority? Shouldn’t it be the salutation on the tip of our tongue at every conversation? Should it not be the beat of our hearts and the pace of our breath? Instead of a “where is Waldo” seek and find moment.
I think peace is a real tangible thing. I believe with my heart we can achieve it, but we must first understand two things. First, peace comes with sacrifice. It is not something that can be purchased at the local Breeze In but it does have a price; and because it has a cost it is an expendable resource. Peace means you may not get everything you want so that someone else can get some of what they need. To get it, we have to sacrifice our own desires. Second, we need to plan for peace. Peace is important enough to place on our schedules. It is important enough to do intentionally, and in this way we begin to understand the mindset required to sustain it. There can be peace on earth and it starts every day and begins with each and every one of us.
• Jason I.W. Cornish is Pastor of Douglas Community United Methodist Church. “Living & Growing” is a reoccuring column written by different authors and submitted by local clergy and spiritual leaders.
