PEACE - writing for Five Minute Friday.
A bit over two years ago, I felt to write a series of blog posts called Pathway to Peace. I got the first one done and then life went pear-shaped, again, and writing became near impossible.
When I started writing seriously again last year, because I needed simply to articulate what God was doing in my life, it wasn't about peace, but rather the inner turmoil that He was unearthing.
Turns out, I need that series on peace even more than I knew, so I will attempt to write on that again.
Turns out, in letting Him unearth and heal that inner turmoil, I am closer to real peace than I ever dreamt. I've tasted some of it, and know it, at a depth I didn't know was possible, not for me. It's a peace that comes from knowing something of the height and depth and length and breadth of His love for me, beyond head knowledge.
Peace is such an understated word in our language. In the Bible, the word we translate peace is shalom, and it's so much more than we realise.
It means wholeness and rightness and wellness in every part of our being, not just a lack of conflict, not just simple peace and quiet.
But, to get to the wholeness, we need the conflict and we need to acknowledge the conflict that already exists within us.
Recently, a friend sent me this and it's so true.
Before I put pen to paper about that series on peace, many words came to me, starting with the letter P, that affect our peace, so I made up a picture of them and decided to explore them.
Those words were power, patience, passion, person, performance, pray, platform.
But I forgot one. And it's been a key to understanding why there has been a lack of shalom in my life.
It's P for pretending.
I've pretended for so long to be okay, to be at peace, to agree with people to keep the 'peace', to not be bothered by stuff, that my pain wasn't as important as someone else's, that I didn't have gaping wounds, in my soul and my spirit. For so long I've stuffed down things that have stolen my peace - rejection, bitterness, anger, unforgiveness, shame, guilt, lies, regret and more besides. And it's all been nicely fermenting, for years.
The Lord has been challenging that pretence, unearthing the lies on which I've built my stoic outer self, exposing the turmoil. And it's been hard, and horrible and so painful, but the reward is peace, shalom, in growing measure.
I've also been getting to know the Prince of Peace, the One who strangely calls me out of the boat, out of the familiar, what I've known and depended on, into the storm, to find Him in all His power and strength and gentleness. And I'm finally learning to relax at His feet and just listen and learn and be.
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven................
A time to tear, and a time to sew;
A time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1,7,8
I love that quote and I love what you write about pretending. It reminds me of my own discovery that the answer to anxiety isn't confidence but trust - in the Price of Peace.
ReplyDeleteI haven't written my post yet but look out for thestufflifeismadeof later :)
God bless x
Thanks, Liz, for your feedback. I'm definitely finding the same to be true - that the answer for the turmoil is the Prince of Peace Himself.
DeleteI couldn't find your post, Liz.
DeleteThank you very honest share.
ReplyDeleteI too find that it helps to journal/blog to sort through your own thoughts and emotions.
Thank you, Fiona. I have found blogging and journalling my only way to really understand my own mind and heart, and His. If it helps someone else, then I am doubly blessed.
DeleteKath, you have transparently shared. As you continue to write and delve into the word 'peace', may Jesus - the Prince of Peace - bring you peace of heart and mind.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Joanne. The peace is growing and deepening, and I'm grateful.
DeleteDid you have a post, Joanne. I couldn't find it.
DeleteIf you avoid the conflict
ReplyDeleteto give veneer of peace,
there is no way to predict
what that will release,
except it won't be pretty,
and it won't be nice,
making it a pity
that we forswore advice
to settle what's dividing
'fore offering to God
for what He's providing,
but taking up the rod
to put a quick and bloody end
to who could have been a friend.
Andrew, how lovely it is to see your name pop up here. I always valued your input in past FMF days. Thank you for that profound poem. How are you doing these days?
DeleteKath, it's great to see you, too! I'm working hard to stay here... like, alive! So much to live for, such as the two senior Chihuahuas Barb brought home the other day. They're a hoot.
DeleteI knew you were not well, and was very relieved to see you still here. My 27yo daughter has been fighting for her life for nearly ten years, so we know something of that journey, which is why blogging stopped for a while. So good to reconnect with you.
DeleteKath, I'm so glad the Prince of Peace walks with us and that "His power and strength and gentleness" are here for us. And I'm so glad you're "learning to relax at His feet and just listen and learn and be" for that is HUGE. Blessings of peace!
ReplyDeleteI've been surprised at just how powerful, strong and gentle He is. It's been a huge learning curve, but I wouldn't want to default back to what it was.
DeleteThanks for your feedback, Lisa.
DeleteI think we're all guilty of pretending - pretending to be OK when we're not so that others don't get to feel uncomfortable in particular
ReplyDeleteJust popped by from FMF#19
Thanks so much, Heather, for your feedback. It's becoming a growing revelation of just how much pretence there has been to keep others comfortable. But God is so gentle in how He is leading me through the mess.
Deleteoh, I think I needed to stop by and read this today. Your heart speaks well to mine.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Annette. I'm glad it helped. I need to write to understand, but if it helps others, I am doubly blessed.
DeleteKath, I love your message today. Lovely insights and encouragement within. Blessings.
ReplyDeleteFMF#21
Thank you, Paula. I'm glad it was encouraging. It helps me to write it, helps me to know it helps others.
DeleteI tried to reply to your post on peace but it wouldn't let me. So I'll copy it here: Thanks Paula, for that beautiful prayer, and the truths from Scripture. I particularly like the one from Daniel. I had not seen that before and I sure do need it today.
DeleteThis is great, thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Cindy. Thanks for your encouragement.
Delete