Pastor Mary talked about the current state of our world at our Service on Sunday. There is so much hatred, harmful rhetoric, and violence going on all around. Whether it be around our country in peaceful assemblies of people or those assemblies that become violent, at churches, at public places, or internationally. Think about what is going on between Israel, Palestine, Iran, and now we are involved. To be completely transparent, I am scared, as I think many of us might be feeling right now. This is understandable! But, in times like these, it becomes even more important for us to rely completely on God.

The vast majority of people in all of these situations want one thing: PEACE! But, paradoxically, we pursue peace through violence. Leaders and militaries are using brute force, up to and including firing massive weapons at each other, to try to destroy the potential for weaponry from their adversaries. We also are firing on areas that have thousands of innocent people - including men, women, children, elderly - in them, causing intensely saddening events. In light of this, I am reminded of Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 25: 40 that says whatever we do to those in the most need, we do unto Jesus. If we consider our actions from this perspective, I would venture to say that the actions we take would be very different. We need to take a pause and focus on Jesus. As we used to hear when we were children, “What would Jesus do?”

I know . . . Many of us are thinking that we act in this way already, but that we aren’t able to stop our leaders from making certain decisions. This is where advocacy and having challenging conversations come into play. Our PEACEFUL strength is in numbers of us standing together. Pastor Mary further preached on a hymn that has always given me hope, which is why I titled this devotion in this way: “Let there be peace on Earth, and let it begin with us!” Not just you or me, but us together! God is Love, and Peace is a necessity whenever Love comes into play!

This week, our Church community lost an amazing man in Gregg Kiracofe. This has made our current situations much harder and feel much sadder.  But, let’s remember how Gregg always lived. With joy and friendship, through praising God in song, and with faith, hope, love, and peace. What better way to remember and honor him than to follow his great path - which is the Christian Way!

Yours, in Christ’s Peace,
Joey