Peace

PEACE – A word used in so many different ways. Peace is a word that we hear on the news in context of wars. Peace is used by people from all walks of life. Yet how tangible is this word. It seems almost illusive in many contexts. Yet every human longs for it. Some people need to look deeply within before finding that longing. Sadly for many it doesn’t take long before the opposite again dominates.

So where and how can peace be experienced? I wonder what the answers from the Darfur region would be. I wonder what the grieving parents of a child killed by the human bombs of Palestine and Iraq would say. How would the families of victims of genocide describe this illusive notion of peace? What do you hear from the loved ones of a murder victim? What does peace mean to these?

Peace can only be experienced as possible where acceptance and sometimes sacrificial love is freely given. In our mortal and tainted humanness, how could this ever be possible?

This is what Easter was all about. One person sacrificially surrendering all in order to offer this love and capacity to any who would want it. Even if we had just one tenth of this love – what a difference it would make to a world longing for peace. No wonder he is called “the Prince of Peace”.

Pastor Ilse Smidt

A poem: Philips Baptism

What a glorious wonderful day,
Young Philip was baptised in the bay.
Ilse and Grace accompanied him
For the business of dipping him in.
Poor Grace slipped and lost her footing,
She experienced unscheduled ducking.
Unhesitating Peter the Great,
Fully clothed, he didn't wait
To rescue the damsel in distress,
He waded in, oh what a mess
His boots were in, but never mind
Good onyer Peter, you're so kind.

PS. It goes to show what friends are for
When trouble comes knocking on your door.

(C) amiedawes 1.4.2008