"Blessed are the peacemakers; for they shall be called the children of God."
St.Matthew Chap.5 : V.3.
Peace is a difficult concept and the subtleties of interpretation are broad. I read the following in 'The Spiritual Pathway' by Raynor Johnson.
"Two artists agreed to paint a picture with the title "Peace". One painted a secluded valley with tall sheltering hills surrounding it. In the bottom of the valley was a clear, smooth lake; not a breath of wind stirred the surface or marred the perfect reflections of the hills, trees and sky. The second artist painted a bird's nest securely planted in the fork of tree. The wind was blowing wildly through the branches and the foaming waters of a stream ran below. But the nest was a haven of peace.
The first artist may have portrayed the peace of some worlds but the second artist portrayed the kind of peace that can be expected in this world."
In the heart of the cyclone tearing the sky
And rushing the clouds and towers by,
Is a place of central calm.
So here in the rush of earthly things
There is a place where the spirit sings ---
In the hollow of God's palm.
The writer goes on to say that accepting life is an attitude of mind and heart and is a precondition for the peace of which Jesus spoke when he said ---
" Peace I leave with you. My peace I give unto you; not as the world gives, give I unto you."
If peace is dependent on an attitude of mind and heart we have a lot of work to do and we all need to start working harder right now. The world is in need of a heck of a change of attitude if what is happening in the world at this time is any thing to go by.
When we sing - "Let there be Peace on earth and let it begin with me." What are we saying, what are we seeking, what are we asking for?
If we are saying that we want war and civil disorder to cease then we have a responsibility to set an example of obedience to the laws of Spirit and of man. In other words we must be good citizens of this earth, sit lightly upon it, do not waste its resources, become good caretakers and set the right example for the generations to come. We have possessions yet we own nothing 'for naked we came into the world and naked we leave it'. The Spirit, the soul, can be free to soar unencumbered to return to the ocean of Spirit.
Peace, in the civil sense, begins with harmony within the family and serenity within the home. It continues to the neighbourhood and its ripples spread to encompass the globe. This is perhaps a simplistic view. But we do say that a journey begins with a single step, so how much more appropriate to begin a journey of serenity with a simple step from within the home.
This then brings us to the individual; being in a chicken and egg situation, ideally the home will have set the example for the individual and the individual the example for the home. What comes first?
To advance spiritually we must seek the peace within, that calm haven of stillness and tranquillity that allows us to listen to our God. For what do we hear in chaos and confusion, what do we hear in a babble of voices and noise, what sense can we make when all around is non-sense? The answer is nothing, a great big zero, zilch. Our response can only be confused, unreasoned and chaotic.
Man is a vessel of the Spirit, he holds peace within him, however he does not let the peace flow out as the Spirit would wish. Peace flows into man like a river, it should flow out as a waterfall; splashing, running, cascading about the world and all that man comes into contact with. Some allow a trickle to flow from them, some a stream, some non at all. If man could only realise that there is no limit on peace and allowed himself to be used as the means by which it can be given on earth then there would be a constant, healthy flow into the world. "Let it begin with me." Stop and think how you may bring peace into the world, let it flow easily and readily to those about you. Consider the words, thoughts and actions that you give to others. Think before you speak, or act and as time goes on it will become second nature to be a person of peace.
Let the waterfall flow from you, you shall never run dry because the Spirit will keep a steady flow into and through you as you do His work, giving peace to others.
The calm tranquillity for which e strive as individuals will be reflected in our immediate circle. Peace will come as the circle widens, as circles touch upon circles and the ripples spread to encompass all peoples.
Truly peace begins with us, we all bear the responsibility to become the children of God.
What of the future? Down the ages Prophets of God have foretold of an era of 'peace on earth and goodwill among men'. Abdul-Baha, the son of the founder of the Bahai Faith, wrote about the Most Great Peace ---
" In this marvellous cycle, the earth will be transformed and humanity arrayed in tranquillity and beauty. Disputes, quarrels and murders will be replaced by peace, truth and concord; among the nations, peoples, races and countries, love and amity will appear. Co-operation and union will be established, and finally war will be entirely suppressed.
Universal peace will raise its tent in the centre of the earth and the Blessed Tree of Life will spread to such an extent that it will overshadow the East and the West.
Strong and weak, rich and poor, antagonistic sects and hostile nations, which are like the wolf and the lamb, the leopard and the kid, the lion and the calf, will act toward each other with the most complete love, friendship, justice and equity. The world will be filled with science, with knowledge of the mysteries of beings and with the knowledge of God."
Let there be Peace on earth -------
R.E.B
