10-13-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Only last week in this space we addressed Peace \u2013 the concept and definition; the dream and reality; its frequent transitory nature and its elusive permanent state; the world\u2019s quest and our personal desire. On cue, in a sense, Peace was in the headlines: an apparent \u201cpeace deal\u201d in the Middle East, brokered by President Trump. Focused on Gaza, a treaty has been signed whose peaceful ripples can circle out to the wider region, and from this week into the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yes, this is possible. History\u2019s wars inevitably have ended not from sudden awareness of justice nor hunger after righteousness nor dawning revelations of amity. Rather, solutions routinely have resulted from crushing military defeats, or bankruptcy (of arms and money, often sustained by both sides), or abject weariness. And the Gaza Peace accord might last for a generation, or be one more well intentioned memory before this is posted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I desire to take nothing away from President Trump and his team. Their efforts to mediate numerous conflicts have been bold and clever and, it surely seems, successful at the moment. An element of timing has been a blessing to the peacemakers\u2019 work. Israel, after pummeling its enemies and toppling regimes, was at a stalemate with, ironically, anonymous thugs. When Russia and the Ukraine have bled each other dry, they will eventually seek to save face, partition the country as has happened frequently across Europe, and call it Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding the Middle East, the \u201cHoly Land,\u201d we must thank God for the interruption in bloodletting \u2013 the chance to dry so many mothers\u2019 tears \u2013 but remember to peek ahead to the end of the Book, where the final battles at the End of the Age will take place, once more staining the sands with blood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I am not being cynical, and certainly not pessimistic: we observe human nature on one hand\u2026 but we also should recognize God\u2019s nature. Can good come from bad?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wars end in peace. If it proves flawed or short-lived, nevertheless we seek it and savor it. Most legends and novels deal with conflict, and most of them end in sweet resolutions. So with life. When lovers quarrel, there is no sweeter affection than that of making up. In spiritual terms, once sin entered the world and corrupted our natures, God Almighty moved Heaven and earth, if I may characterize it so, to create a means to effect reconciliation with Him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You\u2019ll find that plan in John 3:16; but, really, in every page of Scripture. The Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is God\u2019s love letter to us. Its theme is peace \u2013 that quality that we claim to need and need to claim \u2013 specifically the Peace of God, which passes all understanding. It comes through Salvation, which is the only quality more desirable than peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are broken people, all of us individually and as groups and nations, but Jesus can and does make us whole. This \u201cformula\u201d should not surprise us, because the Bible\u2019s stories feature myriad heroes who were broken and then transformed into great examples for us. In a larger context, such examples surround us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Majestic cathedrals are built of broken stones.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ornate stained-glass windows are comprised of small, broken pieces.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of it: beautiful works of music are collections of notes that by themselves are random or cacophonous until arranged.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n These analogies remind us that so many things in life \u2013 plans, projects, intentions, acts, relationships \u2013 get broken. They might start in broken states, or end that way\u2026 or be that way in between the dream and the realization\u2026but broken, in need of fixing, making whole, redeeming, restoring. Even as we make peace with others, souls are to be reconciled to God. Ultimately, peace to be made with ourselves too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We meet God in new ways when we understand these contexts. Remembering the analogies with the building of cathedrals, arranging stained-glass windows, and composing music, we see the Lord as Architect, Artist, Composer. To the extent we are all broken in various ways \u2013 and see this in our brothers and sisters \u2013 we note that faith requires trust. And patience. God is at work. The more we ignore or resist the work God does in us through His Holy Spirit, the longer we might delay the amazing work He desires to do.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We can view \u201cbrokenness\u201d as an ugly brand, a permanent disqualifier. But God sent Jesus to be a carpenter able to mend broken bodies. In His repair work, nails are sometimes required. Jesus knows about nails, too. But take joy in the restoration God will do in your life. Go thou in peace!<\/p>\n\n\n\n +++<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We are not born \u201cwhole\u201d but we can be made whole. We remember that even the angels cannot sing \u201cAmazing Grace\u201d as we can: they do not know the miracle of Salvation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n