Following the Star

Pause

The only way to peace is through peace.

Listen

I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. I’m thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it’s always a prayer full of joy. I’m glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now.

Philippians 1:3-5

Think

Often, we associate “peace” with the absence of noise and distractions, a certain distance from the things that bother us, perhaps even just being alone to ourselves. And yet Paul presents us with a message of a Gospel of Peace that is rooted in togetherness (and all the noise that brings with it). Peace is not a solo project; peace is partner work.

Because God’s peace is a peace between people, the work of peace is a work that we pursue together. In proclaiming such “good news,” Paul offers gratitude for his “partners in peace,” the Christians in Philippi who have joined Paul’s efforts to spread this peace in their own community.

Not only that, but Paul proclaims that these repeated prayers of gratitude leave him “full of joy.” When we discover and develop such “good news” partnerships in our own life, celebrated in prayers of thanks to the God who gives them, it is no surprise that such a peace transforms into a joyful noise!

Dave McNeely

Pray

God, I thank you for the partners you have surrounded me with in the work of peace.

Help me to never forget that we are stronger together than we are alone, and let the joy of partnership inspire me to seek out peace with even more of my neighbors.

Amen.

Go

As your feet walk down the path of peace,

May your heart remain open to receive peace,

And your hands remain open to offer peace.

 


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