“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 14:27

“Let there be peace on earth
And let it begin with me,
Let there be peace on earth
The peace that was meant to be. With God as my Father, Brothers all are we. Let me walk with my brother in perfect harmony.”

These are the words of the familiar  song,  “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” However, we live in a world where the threat of violence both locally and abroad has become the norm. Recent events have left us wondering: Is peace on earth even possible?

In John 14:27, Jesus promises to give us His peace. The peace Jesus offers will ease our troubled hearts and calm our fears. However Jesus’ peace is different from the world’s, because He calls us to go beyond personal peace to become peacemakers. In other words, rather than just seeking peace for ourselves, He calls us to share the peace we find with all who seek hope. In light of the perpetual violence we see again and again, we must remember that peace is powerful. For it is His peace that has the power to not only change our lives, but also the world around us.

Reflect:

What peace has God given you?

How will you share this peace with others today?

Listen: The Harlem Boy’s Choir “Let There Be Peace On Earth”