The word peace comes from the original Latin word “pax,” a pact or agreement to end war or conflict. Throughout human history, peace has essentially meant the absence of war.
The Hebrew understanding of peace is much bigger than that and is rooted in the word “shalom,” to be complete or to be sound. In either case, external peace in society (lack of conflict or completeness) depends on the internal peace within the hearts and souls of human beings.
Bishop Todd Hunter, The Center’s founder, says, “As we gently work our way to stillness of soul, tranquility of heart, lightness of disposition, and peace of mind, we continually become human as God intended—lovers who will the good of the diverse persons with whom we interact.” When your inner life is peaceful, you desire peace and goodness for all God made.
More than even that, when God’s kingdom at last comes in fullness, peace will reign. It is a great mystery, but for now, in loving wisdom, and in keeping with fulfilling God’s purposes in humanity, God allows us to hate, despise and harm one another on personal and societal levels.
Someday, deep in the fullness of Christ, we will not even be able to fathom harming another or causing discord. Our bent will be fully toward living out the peace brought to us by God in Christ.
Practicing Sabbath can be a powerful tool in pursuing the peace God offers. Sabbathed lives teach us to say no to the “culture of doing” through unplugging, seeking solitude, and learning to appreciate silence. When we receive the invitation to pause and rest, we have more emotional, relational, and spiritual energy, and we feel less overwhelmed and depleted. (For more on Sabbath, read here.)
In place of the word "rest," William Tyndale's early translation of the Bible has Jesus saying, "I will ease you." The idea is that we are relieved. Relieved from the duty we have felt to remain in charge and alleviate the pain and disorientation caused by the stressors of life. To be at ease includes being rescued from trouble, bother and difficulty—the nervous, uptight way we do life. Those at ease still do good work—a lot of it. But they move at a new, graceful pace.
