2019 – My One Word “Peace”

Welcome 2019!

“Let the Lord give strength to his people! Let the Lord bless his people with peace!” -Psalm 29:11

Today starts a new day, a new chapter and a brand new year! It’s good to know that we get a new opportunity at life every single day thanks to the grace of God! God’s enormous love and generosity and Jesus’ selfless sacrifice on the cross. I am looking forward to the journey ahead in the coming year, the opportunities God will provide and for the ability to share God’s love and message of “PEACE” to the world.

I am embarking on a path of peace in the coming year. I truly believe that God and the Holy Spirit have laid the word, “Peace” on my heart for numerous reasons. I feel like I’m being called to seek peace in all that I do, in all that I say, in my professional life, my personal life, my life in its entirety. Peace is, in my opinion is about seeking to listen more, especially listening before responding. Listening before making decisions. Peace is responding with respect, most especially when I may not be in agreement with someone. Peace is not about cowering or giving in to something or someone you absolutely do not agree with, it can be about compromise and should be about the good of all concerned. Peace can be saying things that are uncomfortable and difficult to say and even more so to hear. Peace is truth! Peace is an action word with responsibilities.

I am entering into this knowing that peace will not be easy, if it were…well, we would have peace. I know this will be challenging for me and I know there will be days that I will fail. I’m just being real and practical, I do not want to set myself up for disappointment and self ridicule for messing up. I’m going to have bad days, life is hard and I am human after all. I’m not saying this to give myself a pass, I’m just saying this is my plan, my goal for 2019…to strive for peace and to promote peace whenever and wherever I can but this “peace” can only be attained when it starts with me. No finger-pointing and blaming others, nope, this absolutely must start with me.

I truly hope you will follow me on this journey and you give pause to “peace” may it find you and fill you as well in 2019. I’ve listed some definitions and references below that you might be interested in viewing. Until next time…peace!

“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.” -Numbers 6:25-26

Merriam-Webster Definition of Peace:

• a state of tranquility or quiet

• freedom from civil disturbance

• a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

• freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

• harmony in personal relations

• a state or period of mutual concord between governments

• a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

• used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

• to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

The Hebrew Meaning of Peace:

Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם‬ shalom; also spelled as sholom, sholem, sholoim, shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye. … The word shalom is also found in many other expressions and names.

-Wikipedia

Peace (In The Bible)

The Hebrew word for peace, šālôm,translated in the Septuagint most often by the Greek word, eirēnē, has a wide semantic range including the notions of totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security and well-being.

Peace in the OT. The most comprehensive description of shalom is a cosmic order ordained by God through creation (Gn 1) and established with God’s people in the covenant (Ex 20–23). In this cosmic order each part finds its meaning and function as it conforms to God’s purpose. Shalom describes the “realm where chaos is not allowed to enter” (Hanson, 347), chaos being understood as sickness, war, social strife, or the violation of the covenant.

-New Catholic Encyclopedia