This site was desiged for standard modern browsers. Please upgrade your internet browser to Chrome, Firefox or Safari.

Peace: 3 Questions to Ponder

Shauna Archer /Monday, March 7, 2022

 

The season of Lent is upon us and it should move us to reflect deeply on the mission of God in the world today and how we should be living as people who long to see His mission fulfilled.

Conversations with friends and family recently have highlighted the deep need we have for peace with the global pandemic, racial violence, political divisions, poverty, conflict, and strife affecting all the corners of our world. These things hold a vicious grip on people’s minds and hearts and give us, as followers of Jesus, an incredible opportunity to live in a way that is counter to the frantic culture around us.

Shalom

This year during Lent, while we fast and contemplate in preparation for all that Easter means to us, perhaps prayers for peace or shalom should top our list. In the Bible, shalom can be translated not only as peace, but also as tranquility, security, well-being, health, welfare, completeness, and safety. That’s a long list of beautiful conditions we should want for our families and communities!

In Israel, shalom is both a greeting and a farewell. When used as a greeting, shalom is a form of hopeful blessing asking for God’s perfect peace and well-being, for health, prosperity, and peace of mind. Shalom denotes fullness and perfection, an overflowing joy that moves from your innermost being and is expressed in the way one lives and engages with others.

3 Questions

Considering all that shalom entails, I’m asking myself some hard questions this season.

  • How would the mission of God move forward in this chaotic world if I lived with the enduring belief that all people, not just those that look like me or worship like me, are created “in the image and likeness of God”?
  • How do these words, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives” from the Prince of Peace, motivate me to live in such an inviting and compelling way that lost people are drawn to Him who “is our peace”?
  • How do I show others that the external circumstances in the world today will never touch the peace of God given to guard my heart and mind? Do I want this same peace for those far from God?

This Lent, let us make our way to shalom — a gift that will point seeking hearts to the full measure of peace that is truly beyond all human comprehension and the One who gave it through His death and resurrection.


Shauna Archer serves at the Saskatchewan/Manitoba Regional Coordinator for Simply Mobilizing Canada and is the Pastor of Family and Discipleship at Living Hope Alliance Church in Regina, Sask. Married to Tim and mom to two adult children, she enjoys hosting dinner parties, spending time at the cottage, and enjoying new foods. Her prayer is that God’s saving power would be known among people groups everywhere (Ps 67:1-2).



print


Show All Blogs

Nowruz Mobarak! Happy New Year!

Nowruz Mobarak! Happy New Year!

For many in the northern hemisphere, the first day of Spring (this year falling on March 19th) is a cause for hope and anticipation. Warmer weather, sunshine, and outdoor living is just around the corner.

But for people from places that have been influenced by Persian culture, such as Iran, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, India, Pakistan, Syria, Turkey, and the countries of Central Asia the spring equinox marks Nowruz, their New Years Day, and the start of thirteen days of celebration.

While the celebration of Nowruz varies between ethnic communities, it is an important celebration—including among the diaspora here in Canada. Perhaps even some of your neighbours are celebrating Nowruz?

Here are some ways to pray for those who are celebrating Nowruz


Love Your Muslim Neighbours this Ramadan: Ways to Pray and Engage

Why do Christians Pray for Muslims During Ramadan?

During the month of Ramadan Muslims devote a lot of time to prayer and fasting, seeking Allah’s favour and the purification of their sins, though they are never sure if they have been forgiven or if what they have done is ever enough. Muslims everywhere are seeking God’s approval through a system of works, and yet, they don’t have assurance of their salvation and forgiveness.

As Fouad Masri, the founder of Crescent Project, puts it: “For followers of Jesus, Ramadan is an opportunity to focus on God’s heart for Muslim people, many of whom are desperately seeking God’s approval through a system of works.”

Discover Opportunities to Pray and Engage with Muslims During Ramadan!


Empowered to Influence: Part 3

Paradigm 3 – Worship that Adds Value to Communities

Most unchurched people wouldn’t imagine participating in one of our events because we are completely irrelevant to them. In this third paradigm, Ken Chua explores the shift in thinking that we, as Christ-followers, must make to have any relevance or attract the interest of those in our community. 


Empowered to Influence: Part 2

Paradigm 2: Labour, The Premier Worship

For many, 'work' is a four-letter word, a necessary means to enjoy the desirable. In this second paradigm shift, Ken Chua suggests that the issue lies in how we perceive work/labor and whether God is involved. Your 9 to 5 could be your path to worship!


5 Prayer Points for Lunar New Year

Here are 5 prayer points for the Lunar New Year Celebration ...


Every Day Mission: A Kairos Story

One thing the Kairos course gave me was a fuller awareness that I'm always on mission and the seemingly trivial details of life often can give me an opportunity to fulfill that mission. 

A great example of this was what happened when I went to the hairdresser several kilometres from my house. My sisters had recommended this particular hairdresser saying she was from Iraq and had the same first name, Amina, as one of my friends who is also from Iraq...


Empowered to Influence: An Introduction

What does it mean to be salty or light-filled? This is the core question that is explored in the Empowered to Influence course. Salt is a preservative and flavor enhancer. Light dispels darkness and illuminates the way. How is saltiness and illumination expressed by Christ-followers in the community—at home, at work, in the neighbourhood? What does this mean as the ‘Church-scattered’ is throughout the community during the week?

In this introductory article to our new blog series, Lorna:

  • introduces the Empowered to Influence course - an 8-session video-based course intended to be offered using the normal structures of a local church (Sunday School, small group Bible study, etc.) 
  • and explores "a correct understanding of worship". 

"When Kingdom Values, the fruit of true, sacrificial worship, are lived out in the sight of all in our community, it is compelling evidence of the powerful transformation of the indwelling Christ in us. We are salty and light-filled, and the community is impacted."