Word of the Week: Yahweh Shalom

This week at TCF we are conducting interviews for all of our new Student Ministers. May I simply say, God is at work here and I am blessed to be a part of it. Our future leaders have eyes and hearts open to the Lord and He has drawn near to them. Please pray for them as they finish school for the semester and head away from school and each other for the summer.

This week's Word is brought to us by Abby Belton, one of TCF's new Student Ministers. She is a freshman this year, and not only has this been her first year away from home, but her parents live in Africa. A weekend trip home is out of the question. Because of this distance and separation, Abby lives in a constant state of not really having a "home." But she is learning to let God be that for her. She resides, and finds her peace, in Him alone.


Yahweh Shalom Peace
Do any of you have a hard time finding peace in this day and age? With technology, we have music blaring in our ears, we have the TV running, and when that isn’t enough we have our cell phones to check. We have friends knocking on our doors, people dying for our attention. From the moment we wake up in the morning, until the last few seconds of our night, we have noise around us constantly. The Webster dictionary defines peace as “a state of tranquility or quiet.” I find it difficult to find a quiet place to have peace; a time to rest and be alone with God without the distractions of this world. Psalm 34:14 says “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” We need to seek peace. We need to go after it and find it and find time to be quiet and just listen. God longs to talk to us. He doesn’t want us to be distracted by the earthly things, but focus on Him. He wants us and calls us to have the quiet time to be with Him.
Peace isn’t always the first thing that comes to our mind, but let’s let it be the first thing from our heart and through our actions. In John 14:27 Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Jesus wants us to have peace, not just any peace, but one that is from Him. He has given it to us as a gift. Who better to receive this gift from than the Prince of Peace? It will be a struggle; this world has everything fighting against us. Keep in mind that you will be blessed for your efforts and God will give you that peace. Once you have it, practice it and do not be afraid.
People in this world are struggling and stressed. Relationships with friends, work buddies and our families can be hard. To set the example of having peace all the time is difficult to do. People are looking for those people who have peace and are able to stand out with their quiet spirit. They are searching for others who care to listen and are willing to help with a servant heart. Proverbs 14:30 “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but evil rots the body.” Are you at peace? Is your peace giving life to the body of Christ? Do your actions show that you are at peace with God? Or are you corrupted by evil and rotting out the body?
What about if you lost your family today, would you be at peace with God? What about your home, your life, your job? Do you truly believe God is in control and do you really have peace about it? Is your spirit quiet? Are you at peace now? Have peace with our God, the One that created you and knows your name.
My family lives all the way across the world, they could easily be taken to heaven at any moment in time. When I say goodbye to them, I have to say goodbye as though it is the last time. I don’t know if I will get the opportunity to see them again. Somehow, through this all, God has given us the chance to love each other at a deeper level. He has also taught us to live in peace, no matter what, He is in control and we are His children. No one is saying it’s easy to have peace because it’s not. Keep looking to God for the peace and quiet that we all need in our lives each and every day. If you look to Him, you will find what you are looking for.
In closing John 20:21 Jesus says “Peace be with you! As the Father sent me, I am sending you.”
Peace