Day 17: Peace

“When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.” Matthew 2:3

If we have but two choices, heaven or fear, most of us will select heaven which is peace. We would much rather have a kingdom of heaven than a kingdom of fear as the kingdom implements strategies and policies to enable all of us to live together.

In a kingdom of fear, we can destroy all differing opinions and cancel the uniqueness found in the world. In a kingdom of heaven, we love everyone, and uniqueness is a given. Heaven provides the tranquility and serenity that most people desire.

We know we should love one another, and we also know we are all different. Yet, many people have lost their lives because of their uniqueness and difference, and we have yet to overcome selfishness and greed. There are many disturbances, anathemas to peace. Peace is directly related to the actions of individuals, but I think it is a gift from God.

God commands us to seek peace so we should make every effort to do what leads to peace. We have a choice to let God’s peace rule, or to rely on ourselves and reject His peace. Therein lies the differences between the kingdoms of heaven and fear.

The world will continue to have conflicts. Peace does not come so easily. While peace is understood in many forms – peace within, peace among humans and peace between God and man – I believe our Prince of Peace combined all of these into the idea of a “perfect peace,” or the promise of peace that is perfect harmony. No discordant notes allowed! Peace is the great calm that is offered to each of us. In the kingdom of heaven there is mutuality. I am striving for PEACE, aren’t you?

—Jonna Pearson