shalom

i wish blogspot.com let me put shalom in cursive .. it would be so much more fitting, but alas, this will have to do.

The latest issue of “Stillpoint” (Gordon College's periodical) made me think a little bit about peace...and i was grateful that it opened my eyes to a more expansive definition of peace.

Living and learning at a Christian liberal arts school has challenged, encouraged, and nurtured my faith in many areas and i am so grateful for the many classes, lectures, and discussions that i have been able to be a part of. sometimes though, i struggle with frequent dialogue about world issues that occurs often in chapel, convocation, classes, etc. I struggle with it partly because these issues are so big and i have no idea how to even begin to pray/think about what to do (and my failure is simply to move on and pray about things that i see as having more immediate relevance to my life), and partly because there exists so much brokenness locally on campus and in relationships. i believe that world issues matter deeply to Christ, but that we also need to realize brokenness in our own communities and relationships that are taking place right here on campus. I like how Dr. Wilson puts shalom in a bigger context in his article:

What does it mean, as ministers of reconciliation, to bring shalom to this world? The Hebrew term properly means “wholeness,” “well-being,” or “perfection.” Shalom includes friendship, harmony, and health. Though personal sins and societal imperfections now often thwart shalom, the prophetic vision of shalom will one day not be denied: harmonious relations within a fully redeemed, restored and perfect world. Ultimately He shall “speak peace to the nations” (Zechariah 9:10) and they “will not learn war anymore” (Isaiah 2:4). As agents of peace and reconciliation, we presently await its culmination.

-Dr. Marvin Wilson, Peace That Passes Understanding: Toward a Theology of Peacemaking, StillPoint Spring 2010, Volume 25, No. 2

Wholeness, well-being, perfection. are these words not our greatest desires for ourselves? i long to be whole and complete, to have peace between myself & others (or simply peace within myself). i want so desperately to be perfect but i fail time and time again. but... i am excited that i serve a God who is a peacemaker and cares deeply about peace -- not just peace around the world, but peace within myself and with others. he cares about my relationships, my community here at gordon and at home, and he wants peace to exist there - and all across the globe. henri nouwen has a quote that is quite relevant to this...he says in his short book In the Name of Jesus, "The knowledge of Jesus' heart is a knowledge of the heart. And when we live in the world with that knowledge, we cannot do other than bring healing, reconciliation, new life, and hope wherever we go" (41).

i have struggled to write this blog post for a week now because i don't really know how to express how i feel about these quotes/articles that i read...but i guess this will have to do...i have a lot to learn about peace but i am grateful to be surrounded by people and books who can teach me :)