Dancing in the Light

I John 1:7 "If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ, His Son, cleanses us from all sin."

Name:
Location: North Platte, Nebraska, United States

I am a christian wife, mother and grandmother. I am a licensed Social worker and a licensed Christian counselor. I am most proud of the relationships I have with God, my family and friends all over the world. I have been blessed beyond my dreams.

Thursday, July 05, 2007

A Perverted Peace

We live in a great country, a country known world-wide for many things. We are a wealthy country. We are a free country and we are a powerful country. Our military strength is legendary and well-funded, the financial support of which has become fodder for every presidential campaign in past elections. Given the number of wars we have been engaged in during this century, it is amazing that we are still seen as a nation of peace.
It seems to me that most of us have a skewed definition of peace. We seem to believe that as long as the war is not on our home ground we are at peace. Or that when we are not engaged in military conflict, we are at peace. When there are no bombs in the cars out in front of our house and no soldiers marching down our streets, no tanks in our allies. When we can go to worship without fear, without hiding, without disguise, we think----we are at peace. In the movie, Air Force One, Harrison Ford as President James Marshall, makes this statement: "Peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice."
Justice--defined as "moral rightness, adherence to a moral standard manifested in conduct", seems to be lacking in our society. There are many who should be punished, who are not, and many who should not be punished who are. There are people who are abused and hurt, people who are used and taken advantage of. The news is rife with accounts of frivolous lawsuits, wealth and privilege allowing for an escape from consequences. There is injustice everywhere we turn. While we are still, in my opinion, the greatest country on earth, we live surrounded by injustice. We pass laws, introduce bills and enforce statutes and still there is injustice. Man's best attempts at justice fall way short and we are left with a perverse sense of peace.
Isaiah 30:18 says "the Lord is a God of justice." Isaiah 61 tells us that He loves justice. Throughout the ages, biblical writers have chronicled the justice of God. He is the standard, the moral code. His is the path to peace. When we deviate from His standard, from His will, from His code, we are destined for injustice and unrest. We will never be a country at peace until we return to God. Proverbs 39:4 tells us that justice stabilizes a country. That stabilization--well, it equals peace. In the gospel of Luke, Jesus rebukes the Pharisees and teachers of the law with the scathing statement, "you neglect justice and the love of God". Without God, there is no justice, without justice there is no peace. We are either delusional or simply wishful thinking to believe otherwise.

"Peace"
Neva

Amos 5:24 "But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never failing stream."
Psalm 85:10 "Righteousness and peace kiss each other."
John 14:27 "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . "

21 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen! Great post, Neva.

Corinne

9:09 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Wow! You are so right. We are not a country at peace. I pray everyday that we as a nation return to God. It is the only way we will be at peace.

Thanks Neva

Pat

9:30 AM  
Blogger ThreeGirlyGirls said...

Beautiful post!!! Loved it!! Praying for you!!! How are things going?? Take care!!

1:20 PM  
Blogger Liz Moore said...

Nothing more to say! AMEN!! Blessings!!

1:39 PM  
Blogger Candle (C & L) said...

Neva - Peace & Justice -- is it surprising that it is not found in the countries of this world-- it is not possible to realize peace andjustice in man made governments-- no matter how much those men claim to follow Jesus.

God alone gives it to those who plege allegiance to him -- I praythat thosewho havebeen given this gift can be a force in shaping the world around them so that others to can experience it--

God Bless
Charlie

p.s. Thanks for coming by the other day

5:06 PM  
Blogger Lori said...

Very nice post! I will miss my boy but I praise the Lord that he wants to serve are Country. Keep up the great posts.

Lori

10:13 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post--great thoughts, thanks for sharing them today.


Dan

10:39 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I saw a church billboard that said
"No Jesus--No Peace, Know Jesus--Know Peace"

Pretty cool--

Carlos

7:34 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We have to have God's peace or we have no peace at all,
you are correct! But how do we help our country return to God? That seems to be our daily struggle.

Carol

8:35 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

That is one of my favorite movies. When I read this yesterday, I had to watch it last night. There are lots of good lessons in it--but the idea that a society with morals and values can never ever be at peace is one we all need. Thanks Neva

Rachel
I am praying for you sister and still making plans for you to come and speak for us.

8:59 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva, I don't know of but one nation that thinks The U.S. is a peaceful nation. That is the U.S.

9:47 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Laymond,
I disagree with you. I think what Neva was trying to point out (Neva, correct me if I am wrong) was that we live in peace in our country. All you have to do is watch the news and syou will see countless people immigrating here so they can "live in peace", "worship in peace", "work in peace". Millions relocate to this country so that they can take advantage of the many available opportunities in peace.
In a country without justice, this feeling of peace is perverted and we have no spiritual peace at all.

Interested Bystander

10:48 AM  
Blogger Kathy said...

Are our expectations askew? Are we to seek earthly peace? Is that an unrealistic expectation in light of the fallen world we temporarily occupy?

True and complete justice and its accompanying peace can be found ONLY in our relationship with God, imho. There will always be "wars and rumors of war" and its injustices until our LORD returns for us.

We do, however, live in a country that still by and large, allows us the freedom to worship, work, travel, enjoy our lives as we see fit. That is totally different that being at peace, which is totally "beyond understanding" without God's gift of His peace. At least, imho.

11:00 AM  
Blogger Neva said...

Kathy,
I see what you are saying. I dont think we are to seek peace other than the peace that comes from belonging to Christ. I do think we delude ourselves into believing we can have peace in this world without Him. That was really the point of the post---that without Him there is no peace, ever. And with Him we have a apiritual peace that is pure and holy and eternal.
Thanks for commenting.
Peace
neva

IB--you are correct, that is what I was trying to say, just not as good with words as you are.

Nicki, thank you for the sweet thoughts, things are still pretty much yuk but my faith structure says that God is still working in my life and the life of my son. and so I will continue to pray!!!!!!
Peace
Neva

11:45 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Peace, the one thing we all crave and the one thing only God can give.

I liked this post.

Georgia

12:26 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Neva,
I have been missing you and been thinking about you. Just wanted you to know I still read just dont always comment.

love
Kari

2:54 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

:)
K

6:17 PM  
Blogger Larissa said...

I really liked that post, and I agree.

6:41 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Love you and am praying for Nathan.

Love
Kel

8:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yes, justice and peace, can't have one without the other. Very good post.

Jeneane

9:02 PM  
Blogger Beba said...

As foreigner reading your post, even so, i agree with you. Now a days world, we don't live in peace.
god bless you

5:49 AM  

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home