Christian Life 9 - On Peace

 "If you wish to feed the body, eat a salad.  If you wish to feed the mind, read a book.  If you wish to feed the soul, pray."

                                                                                                                                                                  -  Me

  Some years ago, there was a small, poor African nation in the throes of civil war.  The war went on for many years with a half-dozen factions vying for power.  So long, in fact, that an entire generation was born and came of age under the shadow of war.  In every town and every village, the populace never knew when the soldiers would arrive, which side the soldiers were on, or what damage the soldiers might leave in their wake.  Disease and poverty were rampant.

    Finally, one faction pulled ahead of the others and a truce was signed.  The people rejoiced; peace at last!  But the joy was short-lived.  While the rifles and mortars were silenced, the jets no longer strafed from above, very little else changed in the villages that housed most of the population.  Despite promises made during the war, within a few years the government had not come into the towns and villages and provided roads, schools or hospitals, drinking water or crop seeds.  The population continued to be as deprived and oppressed as ever.  As one journalist recorded it, the young people began to cry out that "peace is not merely the absence of war."

    Not long after I heard this story, I was conversing one evening with my brother.  During the course of our chat, my brother asked me what my heart's greatest desire might be.  I unhesitatingly responded, "peace."  Like the young men in the story, I wasn't completely sure what 'peace' consisted of, but I knew I didn't have it.  When my brother asked, "why peace?" I responded with "because, if I had peace, I wouldn't want anything else.  As far as I know, that's what peace means."

    So, what is peace, anyway?  I believe, although we all think we have some idea of peace, it may be one of those ideas that simply transcends words.  Obviously, it goes well beyond merely the absence of war.  It doesn't mean solely happiness, for happiness is transient and peace should not be.  Nor is it just tranquility for the same reason.  It's not exactly wisdom, although wisdom may be a rest stop on the path to peace.

    Why is the question of peace even important?  Is peace relevant?  What does it have to do with our day-to-day lives?  I believe that ultimately peace is what we all want, even if we don't know it or can't admit it.  The body craves titillation.  The mind craves power.  The soul craves peace.  Titillation is fairly easy to achieve:  food, wine, sex, social media, roller coasters, even a movie or video game can provide titillation.  Power is a bit more difficult to achieve, but not much.  People start by achieving power over themselves by "controlling" their appetites for titillation and convincing themselves they have no souls (more on this in previous posts).  Once self-power is achieved, they seek to grab power over others.  This can range from simply treating a pet dog as if it was a dependent child through constantly being pissed at fellow drivers and all the way up to an actual political coup.  But peace; peace isn't something to which we're accustomed or trained to achieve.  In Western society, it isn't even deemed desirable.

    Peace is terrible for the economy, politics and Nielsen ratings since peaceful people aren't desirous, angry or bored.  Therefore it is considered of no value in Western society.  On the other hand, peaceful people aren't competitive, depressed, guilty, anxious, irritable, stressed, spiteful, frivolous, vain or any of the other most common Western neuroses.  I suppose that may be one more reason why Westerners are taught that they don't have souls and therefore need no peace; its also bad for the billion-dollar psychology and psychosomatic drug industry.

    In my mind, this is the worst consequence of the Romanization of Christianity.  Western Christianity rarely talks about peace and, when it does, it refers to peace as one of the Faithful's Heavenly rewards.  This is in complete opposition to Jesus' assurance that "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.  I do not give you as the world gives you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27 NIV)  Grace we readily accept, peace we leave aside.  Little wonder that atheism is growing in the West.  What is the value in joining a group that's as utterly screwed up as all the others?

    Look at how Western churches conduct their worship services.  The "traditional" service appeals to the mind with theological Scripture studies and long sermons meant to remind the congregants that God has control over everything.  The "contemporary" and "holy roller" services appeal to the body by titillating with rock or gospel music concerts (sometimes complete with lasers and fog machines) and sermons that seek to remind the gathered of how exciting it is to be in the company of Jesus.  And everybody is rushing to add PowerPoint slides to their services and be the first churches on their blocks to have 10,000 views on YouTube.  I've attended churches that have invested so much in their Audio-Visual equipment that, as a congregant, I felt more like a member of the audience in a television studio than an actual worshiper in church.  Never is there anything to help one's soul garner the peace for which it cries out.  Peace isn't even on the program!

    And what issues cause conflict in modern Western churches?  Homosexuality.  Ordination of Women.  Stewardship of funds.  National politics.  Matters that are simply too petty to even exist for the peaceful soul.

    I think we need to remember what peace really is.  I think we need to listen more closely to our own souls as they cry out for peace.  I think we need to pray for peace, not as some abstract ideal to which we wish the world would adhere or something we will be granted in the hereafter, but as something missing in our own daily lives right here and now.  I think, deep down, we really want to abide in peace whether we're willing to admit it or not.

    Perhaps John Lennon was right after all.  Perhaps "all we are saying is give peace a chance."

Pax (which, by the way, is Latin for "peace")