Perfect Peace

UN Peace Stamps

'You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, all all the trees of the field will clap their hands.' Isaiah 55:12

'Give Peace A Chance' became the anti Vietnam war song at a time when many of my generation were growing up; either studying or starting our careers. That was from 1969 to 1975. It had a rather quirky beginning in that it was written by John Lennon and Yoko Ono during their 'Bed-In' honeymoon in Montreal, 31 May 1969, an attention capturing international display.

On the 15 Nov 1969, this song was sung in Washingston DC by more than half a million demonstrators against the Vietnam war. Pete Seeger who led the singing shouted over the microphone, "Are you listening, Nixon?" as the protestors sang "All we are saying is give peace a chance."

John Lennon stated at one of his last interview, in 1980, "It wasn't like you have to have peace! Just give it a chance. We ain't giving any gospel here - just saying how about this version for a chance? We think we have the right to have a say in the future. And we think the future is made in the your mind."

Really? Even though the idealists thought that the song and protests brought about the end of the Vietnam war, after nearly 40 years later where is the peace? John Lennon was right when he sarcastically mentioned there is no gospel in the song. Forty years hence still no chance of peace; where there is no gospel there is no peace.

Those who live by the gospel that Jesus Christ brings are at peace with ourselves even though there is no peace in the world. There will not peace so long as sin prevails and we can only hope to wait for the second coming of Jesus Christ to establish a new heaven and a new earth. 

That is when Christ will establish Perfect Peace. Till then, my church's choir, the Charis Methodist Church's Choir sang out what is the deep yearning of our hearts, to be at peace with ourselves, with others and with God.

When life’s burdens get so heavy

 And it seems I’m all alone,

I cast my care on Jesus

 And come boldly to His throne.

I find His grace sufficient

 When His promises I heed.

For His very life He sacrificed,

And He lives to intercede.

He is the Lord of Lords, 

And when He speaks winds and waves obey.

When Jesus whispers “Peace be still,”

Then darkness turns to day.

And as I’m trusting in my Savior’s Word

 Doubts and fears all cease,

And beneath the shelter of His wings

 I’m at rest in perfect peace.

I will seek for souls in darkness,

Calvary’s love with them to share.

Empowered by His Spirit

I will follow anywhere.

For I know whate’er befalls me

My Lord is in control.

And as my mind is stayed on Him

Perfect peace he gives my soul.

The peace that Jesus promises is different. Although there will be trouble and tribulation, Jesus tells us not to worry for He has overcomed the world.

'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

'I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.' John 16:33   

St Paul recognised that in a troubled world there are insecurities and worries and he pointedly advised, 

'Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Phil 4:6-7 

Living in peace with each other was strongly advocated for the early church, 

'If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.'Romans 12:18 

'Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.' Romans 14:19

As God's people, we can to offer this peace. Let there be Peace on Earth and Let it begin with Me.

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 our Father

Brothers all are we

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take

Let this be my solemn vow

To take each moment and live

Each moment in peace eternally

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the Lord, who has compassion on you.' Isaiah 54:10

Lionel

Prostrate Before God

Pope Francis at Good Friday Service

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the lord, high and exalted on a throne; and the train of His robe filled the temple. And they (the seraphims) were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of His glory." "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Isaiah 6:1,3 and 5

This was the position Pope Francis took in praying during a Good Friday service, prostrate before God. There is a kind of prayer sensibility when we prostrate ourselves before God in adoration. We prostrate ourselves because we recognise two truths—our own nothingness and God’s infinite goodness and there is no basis of comparison between man and God.

In the vision of Isaiah, he immediately recognised his true condition in the light of God's glorious presence. Isaiah did not boast of holiness in being given the opportunity to see God. Instead Bishop Solomon (ref 1) observed "There is a severe trembling of a soul that is deeply aware of its sinfulness and its desperate need for God's mercy and forgiveness..".

This humility is an appropriate response against a modern world that has become arrogant and boastful of its accomplishments. Science and technology were touted as crowning glories of man's achievements, so much so that some conclude they have no need of God. But then, from time to time, a natural catastrophe such as the Covid-19 pandemic unleashes itself and exposes our vulnerability.

Let us take advantage of the shutdown stay home order, enforced to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, to slow down and sit back a little.  This is the time for a deep spiritual reexamination of ourselves. The theologians call this, Examen, a spiritual examination of the soul in the light of God's penetrating light and truth. Let this not be a  cursory but a serious and earnest exercise. In a fast-paced, feel-good, pleasure-seeking world we hardly have time to step back and look into ourselves. We are always on the go and doing things to the extent that we forget who and where we are.

Now being shut in our homes, we have time to be contemplative and sensitive. We can look into ourselves and then beyond ourselves to others and eventually to God. Psalms 139:23-24 'Search me, O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting'.

There is a group of international Christians who can come together at such times and still declare, 'Hosanna in the Highest'.

Lionel
Ref 1: Robert Solomon 'The Sermon of Jesus'  Armour Publishing Pte Ltd

Charis - A Gracious, Attractive Community?

"Enlarge the place of your tent, stretch your tent curtain wide, do not hold back; lengthen your cords, strengthen your stakes" Isaiah 54:2

My Church is Charis Methodist Church. In Greek mythology Charis is the name of one of the Graces. She is known for her charm, beauty and graciousness. In the Christian context the Greek word Charis (χάρις) refers to goodwill, loving-kindness, favour and the grace of God showered upon Christians. As such many Charisians think we are highly favoured by God, our motto being 'A Church After God's Own Heart'. Charis is also a root word for charisma and charity; we aspire to be a church full of vitality, graciousness and charity in service to God and others.

For some time now, I have ranted and lamented about people leaving and changing churches and emphatically stated that there is absolutely no good reason for committing such a 'crime'. Someone alerted me that I may be blind-sighted, that many people are leaving their churches because of our collective failure as a community. He observed, quite rightly, "that much more effort is put into the brick and mortar rebuilding, and into perfecting our worship service flow than into building our love for one another". In short, Charis Methodist Church may have failed to live up to our name.

Pope Francis in one of his homilies said, "Enlarge your tent" we read in the prophecy of Isaiah, so that all can dwell as members of one family. A family where there is one God and Father, one Lord Jesus Christ and one Spirit of life. A family in which no one member is more important than another, neither in virtue of age, intelligence or ability, for all are beloved children of the same Father. In this regard, Saint Paul's example of the body and its members speaks eloquently for us."

Rebuilding Charis Methodist Chu

How do we re-define ourselves? How can we revitalise a waning and tired body? How can we be a more attractive community? 

We can rebuild ourselves spiritually concurrent to rebuilding physically. 

• Rebuilding Community Strength
• Rebuilding Community Support
• Rebuilding Community Service

Rebuilding Community Strength

'All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever. And this is the word of that was preached to you.' 1Peter 1:24-25

The inspirational preaching and consistent studying of God's word is an important ministry of the local church. God's Word directs our paths. It helps the Christian to grow, strengthens him and sustains his faith. John Stott wrote, "The point is that we do not emerge from the new birth with the understanding and character of a mature Christian...but rather like new-born babies -weak, immature, vulnerable and needing above all to grow." (ref 1). 

A fundamental responsibility of Pastors is the pulpit ministry; from whence will come the encouragement and inspiration for church members. The Psalmist proclaimed in Psalms 119:9 and 10, "How can a young person stay on the path of purity? By living according to your word. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

The Word of God strengthens the church and a local church steeped in God's word will be a formidable force in the community.

Rebuilding Community Support.

'Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed'

1 Peter 4:12-13

Bishop (Dr) Robert Solomon wrote in his book, The Race, "In suffering, we need to find meaning. We need to find love. It is difficult to suffer alone and many people feel they do so. But we are not alone when we suffer. God often offers us His loving presence. And when we allow Him to walk with us, we will find that suffering is redemptive. It changes us and makes us like Him. It gives depth and brings new life". (ref 2) 

Life is not meant to be easy. Suffering and trouble in our lives can swerve us off course. When such times befall us, will the church be there to support? A genuine congregation will have members who can and will support us in days of trouble. Such support structures take a long time to build and we should treasure such friends and church members.

Rebuilding Community Service

'And let us consider how we spur one another toward love and good deeds' Heb 10:24.

Someone said that we come to church the way we drive into a petrol station. We come in to re-fill our spiritual tank and we leave oblivious to the world around us and to its needs. Jesus said that Christians are to be the light and salt of the earth, that is the Church is expected to do good deeds, to be an exemplar to society. Every member should have a duty towards social service. The Church has a social conscience.

Let us be a 'Total Church'. There is a Christian song, 'Making a Difference' that aptly expresses these sentiments;

Won't you Lord 

Take a look at our hands

Everything we have

Use it for Your plan

Won't You Lord

Take a look at our hearts

Mould it, refine it,

As You set us apart

We want to run to the altar

And catch the fire

To stand in the gap

Between the living and the dead

Give us a heart of compassion

For a world without vision

We will make a difference

Bringing hope to our land

Lionel

Ref 1: John Stott, The Radical Disciple Inter-Varsity Press
Ref 2: Robert Solomon, The Race Armour Publishing