Practicing the Principles of Peace
How did we get so far out of balance?
In the beginning was perfection, the likes of which our world today cannot fathom.
Creation flowed in skilled precision as if the wind, rain, and sunshine were on a perfect release schedule, nature’s acrobatic dance over all the earth. But suddenly, the rain turned to snow and ice. We slipped and fell.
Our world has been steadily slipping off the great balance beam. No perfection exists between human beings, no matter how good we may see our friendships, our marriages, or our race relations. All are subject to the ebb and flow of flawed individuals.
David writes in Psalm 38:11 “My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague, and my relatives stand afar off.” But there is hope. Further down in verse 15, he writes, “For in You, O LORD, I hope. You will hear me, O LORD my God.”
I recently caught an episode detailing the incredible story of friendship between two men, one Black and one White. On the Eric Metaxas Radio Show, which is broadcast on our Christian television station, two brave men’s miraculous connection through history was told. Their new book entitled, The Dream King by Will Ford and Matt Lockett details their stories.
From his “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. not only dreamed of a new day of racial reconciliation, but these two men, Will and Matt, are living it out as a prophetic testimony, the fulfillment of a segment of reverend’s famous speech:
“I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.”
Hearing the two men share their miraculous connections has stayed with me, and their book has been ordered. My essay cannot do justice to the ways in which they’ve sought the LORD’s counsel and wisdom on how to share their story, so the websites are for your own research.
Just as sure as we are all subject to the law of gravity, we are all susceptible to making terrible mistakes in our judgements, our speech; our stubborn prejudices.
I have been known to make poor choices. But thankfully, I became a student of my own life in Alcoholics Anonymous, and became willing to look squarely in the face of my shortcomings. I also became aware of my strengths in ways that can benefit others. Sitting in a room full of recovering (often hurting; some court-ordered; barely sober) individuals, men and women of every race, creed and color, has helped me to see we can struggle through this life together, using tools we didn’t even know we had at our disposal. In addition to the 12 Steps, we work on slogans and traditions that have worked for millions of people for many years:
Live and let Live.
Let Go and Let God.
A Higher Power is at work.
Hearing (really listening to) the many different perspectives, the honest sharing in these safe rooms–where anonymity is the spiritual foundation, reminding us to keep our principles before personalities–has been good for my soul.
I still believe in racial harmony. I’ve seen it between individuals and groups. I know we can break out of this miry pit of destruction. Christians and people of every faith across the globe are praying. Change is coming.
But my challenge to you is this: Stay in Pursuit of Peace. Seek balance between your inner and outer worlds.
- Choose a day for Sabbath rest. Make it yours. Be refreshed. Get perspective.
- Fast from the news and from social media. Be restored by the renewing of your mind.
- Keep scripture verses near that speak to you throughout the day.
- Pray God’s word back to Him.
- Take a nap.
- Call a friend and have a catch-up conversation.
- Apologize to anyone you may have hurt.
It takes planning and prioritizing in order to build healthy boundaries and actually implement a Sabbath rest, and I’m not the first to say, it doesn’t have to be on Saturday or Sunday.
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Amen, Sarah. Beautifully presented. If only we could remove the news networks and social media from the equation. we might stand a chance.
We are together in our brokenness. Only a supernatural healing can change people’s hearts. God is able, and He thoroughly equips us for kindness in the face of persecution. Some of us know this from seeing it demonstrated in recovery circles. For that I am most grateful. Thank you Alice, for your encouragement.
Bravo and what a wonderful article!! You motivated me today! Blessings,Tammy R.
I’m so glad you’re encouraged by these testimonies. The two men I referred to were brought together supernaturally, I believe. God is active whether we sense His presence or not. Hopefully, we will more and more in the coming days. Love you!