1. Peace is flowing like a river. Flowing out through you and me, Spreading out into the desert, Setting all the captives free. Let it flow through me, Let it flow through me, Let the mighty peace of God flow out through me. Let the might peace of God flow out through me.
2. Love is flowing … 3. Joy is flowing … 4. Faith is flowing … 5. Hope is flowing …
When thinking about the Advent reflection for today this song from 1985 came floating into my mind – a prayer for the mighty peace, love, joy, faith and hope of God to flow out from our lives to impact the world around us. I’ve come to think that for Christians being peacemakers is one of the most important things we can be and do. At this time of year, as we look to the birth of Jesus, we often reflect on the words of Isaiah 9: 6 & 7: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there will be no end.” Jesus is the Prince of Peace and it follows that all the various facets of Peace are an immensely important part of our faith.
Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers” and put this high on His agenda. It follows that it should be high on ours too. But I wonder how much of our time is devoted to seeking and pursuing peace, as Peter encouraged us to do. Being peacemakers and seeking peace is a choice that we can make. It is a path that we choose to walk. Peter wrote the following and I hope you enjoy the bit extra that the Amplified Bible gives: “Finally, all [of you] should be of one and the same mind [united in spirit], sympathising [with one another], loving [each other] as brethren [of one household], compassionate and courteous (tender-hearted and humble). Never return evil for evil or insult for insult (scolding, tongue-lashing, berating), but on the contrary blessing [praying for their welfare, happiness, and protection, and truly pitying and loving them]. For know that to this you were called, that you yourselves may inherit a blessing [from God – that you may obtain a blessing as heirs, bringing welfare and happiness and protection]. For let him who wants to enjoy life and see good days [good – whether apparent or not] keep his tongue free from evil and his lips from guile (treachery, deceit). Let him turn away from wickedness and shun it; and let him do right. Let him search for peace (harmony; undisturbedness from fears, agitating passions, and moral conflicts) and seek it eagerly. [Do not merely desire peaceful relations with God, with your fellowmen, and with yourself, but pursue, go after them!]" (1 Peter 3: 10/11)
In all we do and wherever we are, this means that we should go after peace, look for it, seek it out intentionally, being proactive and purposeful and aiming to be people who practice peaceful ways and means.
When Jesus was preparing His disciples for his death and resurrection he gave a dynamic parting gift: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you” (John 14: 27). He left us His own peace – it’s already here, it’s been given, it’s available in the here and now. We are official peacemakers for Jesus. We have the tools, Jesus has supplied them. But we need to choose to take hold of them letting the “mighty peace of God flow out through us” to our neighbours.