When Peace Settles

By Connie S. Arnold

Today I walked outside in our yard with my dog. The blue sky of Autumn was unmarred by clouds, the Fall air balmy with no hint of the winter yet to come. We strolled to the accompaniment of the neighbor’s tractor working in the hayfield to the east of us, far enough away not to disturb but to be soothing. Peace seemed to settle upon me as a tangible cloak.

We all have different triggers that cause us a momentary sense of peace which can be the smallest things in our lives or the attainment of long worked-for goals. These times are elusive but can become permanent in our memories. Let’s recognize that these precious moments are fleeting but live in the moment.

Whether country fixings or a city of bustling crowds instill feelings of satisfaction, we are aware that these times of peace are transitory. But we can be thankful for times such as these that can give us balance.

While I know that all is not well in our world, for a moment I was lulled by a feeling of harmony. A sense of completeness surrounded me like a news break announcing that all is in good form. When was the last time we heard a news break offer any hope for peace and safety?

News sources report military aggression driving multitudes from their homes, even their homelands. These refugees are seeking places of safety; perhaps they think peace can no longer be a part of their lives. This military aggression is fueled by greed at the expense of anyone in its path. But peace is coming.

On speaking of peace, we would be remiss in not acknowledging the words of hymn writer, Haldor Lillenas, who wrote, “Coming to Jesus, my Savior, I found wonderful peace, wonderful peace. Storms in their fury may rage all around, I have peace, sweet peace.” The foundation of this peace is always firm even when our human footing cracks.

Isaiah had a heads-up! “In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it,” (Isaiah2:2 NRSV). A true sanctuary city!

This will not be a pact among nations or a negotiation between good and evil. God will reign. “He shall judge between the nations and shall arbitrate for many peoples; they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more,” (Isaiah 2:4 NRSV). A permanent peace will be established.

So, when we are blessed with a rush of a feeling of peace it is only a brief inkling of the permanent peace that is coming. Our feelings here on earth are so diluted as not to compare with what is coming in our future.

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is,” (1 John 3:2 NIV)

__________CSA