What Good Is Peace?

On September 21^st the world will mark 31 years of International Day of Peace. The day was set aside by the United Nations General Assembly in September 1982. On that day all nations around the world are encouraged to cease fire and commemorate it through education and public awareness on issues related to peace.

The global peace sign

 I imagine two or more countries in the middle of a civil war all year and on this particular day they get to put down their weapons (now wouldn’t that be a site to behold). In those 24 hours the soldiers and their commanders leave their camps and go around creating awareness on the importance peace (which would be much better).

Back in campus, Daystar University, during my 1^st year we read a book called Peace Child by Don Richardson. The book is about missionaries Don and Carol Richardson who were sent to the Sawi people of New Guinea.  

While there, the couple tried their best to learn their language and customs. They also tried sharing the story of Jesus and His death on the cross however the Sawi people couldn’t understand. Maybe it was because the part of the story that the tribe loved most was the betrayal of Jesus by Judas to the Roman soldiers. Treachery was the highest virtue of the Sawi people.

The tribe was constantly in war with the neighbourhood tribe. Don and Carol threatened to leave their village if the war continued. Since the tribesmen loved the medical care and steel implements provided by the couple, they decided they would maintain peace.

One particular day the warriors from the warring tribes formed a line opposite each other. Then the Chief from the Sawi people took his own child (despite the wailing in uncontrollable grief of the mother), walked down the line of his warriors as each placed their hands on the child. Then the Chief took the child and gave it to of his enemy chief. The enemy chief also did the same-walked down the line of his warriors as they all placed their hands on him. Next the warriors turned around and disappeared with the child.

The Sawi People were known to be treacherous

It was earlier agreed that as long as the child was alive the two tribes would live in peace and harmony. However once the child dies the two tribes would resume to war and if anyone kills the child, they would be killed on the spot. The child was always termed as the Peace Child.

The Peace Child

This reminds me of the love of God to all humanity. He loved us so much that He gave His own Peace Child-Jesus. The scriptures define Jesus as the Prince of Peace and the giver of peace.

In John 14: 27, Jesus says to his disciples 'Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. I do not give as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid'.

The question is what has robbed you of peace? Are the pressures and turbulence of life constantly overwhelming you in terms of finances, wayward children, separation, unknown future or even terminal illness?

I have come to learn the beauty of fixing my eyes on Jesus even in the tempest of all storms. In there you will find the beauty of His gracious peace exhibited in and always through you. Till we learn to trust in Him and lay aside our ‘weapons’ for His peace we can never really understand what peace means.

Have a peaceful 21^st