Peace Isn’t the Absence of Conflict
Sometimes the peace of God doesn’t feel or smell or look much like we think it should—at least not at the start.
Webster defines peace as:
1. Freedom from disturbance; quiet and tranquility.
2. A state or period in which there is no war or war has ended.
As a result of this definition, we often dress peace as a kind of adornment we wear when all is going well—when our feelings or the state of things match up with ‘the way things should be.’ Sometimes, peace really is that simple. Just relaxing or enjoying a quiet moment makes way for peace flowing like a long spring dress in a gentle breeze.
But when things are off-kilter—when our thoughts and feelings point to disarray and ‘unwellness’ in us or around us, peace too often remains waiting on the hanger, while we stay tied up in knots.
But peace isn’t the absence of conflict anymore than love is the absence of hate.
Jesus teaches us it’s possible to wear peace in the midst of wrinkled clothes and tattered garments. But it will take some digging-deep work on our part.
When Jesus gives His Sermon on the Mount, He begins with the beatitudes—those qualities and characteristics that dress a person whose life has been turned inside out, upside down, and turned over to the plans and purposes of God.
Matthew 5: 9 reminds us that God blesses those who work for peace. For they will be called children of God(New Living Translation).
Later, Jesus is sharing his Last Supper with the disciples in John’s Gospel.
He spends a lot of time warning them about what’s to come, and how they should act when it does.
He warns about the world’s hatred but also promises the Holy Spirit, who will help them stand up against it.
He talks about unity using His name in prayer—which would only be necessary to teach them, and us, if Jesus knew there would be an abundance of disunity to come.
Before Jesus prays for Himself, for His disciples, and for future believers, Jesus tells them and us: I have told you this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world (John 16:33, NLT).
There’s no change of circumstance, no erasure of conflict in either of these passages when it comes to experiencing God’s peace.
That’s because peace isn’t the absence of something; it’s the Presence of Someone.
I find coming to God’s peace often includes a whole lot of sweat and tears with God working through the real trials and sorrows of this life. Things like:
· Grief and loss
· Disappointments
· Hurts inflicted by someone else
· A late-night argument that no longer makes sense in the morning but still has us tied in knots
· Wrestling with what we think God might be calling us to, but not sure we want to go there
· Or maybe we “went there,” but it wasn’t at all the Holy Spirit’s directing. And now it’s coming back to us in ways that keep us, and God’s peace, at arm’s length.
The Good News, the freeing news of Jesus’ words to his disciples, and to us, is that God’s peace comes to us when we put aside the things coming at us—when we make room for God to sit beside us in it.
We become pursuers of peace when we stop getting tripped up by the world’s chaos—when we place ourselves in our God’s Presence asking Him to deal with strife unraveling in us and around us.
True peace walks alongside us as we prioritize God’s values and adopt them as our own.
Peace is pursued. Peace is worked toward.
True peace is lived into—in partnership with God who grants it as we place ourselves in the middle of God’s Presence.
So let’s pray and give God access to this day, so that His peace be alive to us, adorning us and living through us.
God of all Peace-
Thank you Jesus for praying for our peace, knowing we would need it.
Thank you Holy Spirit for prompting us to ask for Your peace, knowing when we don’t have it.
We confess too many times, even today already, we have walked away from Your True Peace because it was easier than working toward it with You. Loving God, fill us with Your Presence. Today, please dress us with Your Peace that truly does pass understanding in the eyes of this world. Through the Name of Your Son Jesus we ask, Amen. So be it.
Submitted by Rev. Jennifer Sakata
Rev. Jennifer Sakata is a storyteller, observer of life, and grace-growing follower of Jesus. She lives in Central Illinois with her husband Craig and two fun-loving sons. Jennifer is a speaker, writer, and contributing author in two recent publications: She Writes for Him: Stories of Living Hope by Redemption Press and Whispers of Grace by EA Books. Jennifer is active in her community and you might see her cycling around on her hot-pink-tired road bike!
Please connect with Jennifer on her website, Grace Through a Not So Perfect Pot at