Easy Like a Sunday Morning: Shalom

The NIV website posted a well-informed article on Shalom ( (The Meaning of Shalom in the Bible, n.d.) Accordingly, Shalom is a Hebrew word that means a person being uninjured and safe, whole, and sound.  The article dissects Shalom within the context of the Old and New Testaments. From the pages of the Old Testament, Shalom is spoken of in terms of prophecy where peace is prophesied in the context of loss or invasion being the result of a curse, but there would be a future of complete Shalom for all of Israel.  In the New Testament, shalom is revealed as the reconciliation of all things to God through the work of Jesus Christ. Shalom is a composite word to mean complete well-being referencing our physical, physiological, social, and spiritual development; it flows from all of one’s relationship being put right with God, with (in) oneself, and with others.  

In the absence of Shalom, there is sin. Sin disrupts peace with God, peace within us, and peace with others. How did sin cause this disruption?  According to Bible Tools, when a person sins (disobeys the Word of God), it seems as though there is a feeling, a natural fear that wells up. Even before the sin occurs, one invariably seeks to make sure no one else sees it happen. This does not display a mind of peace. Immediately following a sin, the fear of exposure arises, and the sinner begins justifying why they have done such a thing (Ritenbaugh, n.d.). We can all attest to the varying emotions we go through when peace evades us. Adam and Eve tried to justify themselves before God.  How many times have we tried to justify our actions before others even though we know when we have done something wrong?

There is good news! our peace can be redeemed through Jesus Christ. Many of have us been fractured by the traumas of life. We may have hidden many of these traumas, but it does not mean that we have been healed from them. Emotions such as fear, anger, and sorrow produce feelings of stress, pressure, and hopelessness. In addition to acknowledging that Jesus Christ is our peace and walking in daily surrender to His ways, there are practical steps that we can undertake to increase our faith. We can choose to eat healthy meals, exercise, and undergo counseling to help deal with the issues of our past; so that we can experience true peace.  

Abba Father desires for us to live at peace with people; if possible. He wants us to rest from some of the constant rituals that we do from time to time. He wants us to rest so that we can be revitalized and filled with his loving and peaceful thoughts towards us. When last did you visit the beach, sit in the park, listen to the chirping birds, or feel the freshness of the cool morning or evening breeze against your skin? Abba Father knows the wounds you carry from those unfortunate battles/storms that came your way. It was not your fault. Abba Father wants you to rest and take it easy like a Sunday morning. Shalom.

References

Ritenbaugh, J. W. (n.d.). bibletools.org. Retrieved from https://www.bibletools.org: https://www.bibletools.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/topical.show/RTD/cgg/ID/2962/Sin-Destroys-Peace.htm

The Meaning of Shalom in the Bible. (n.d.). Retrieved from thenivbible.com/blog/meaning-shalom-bible/#: https://www.thenivbible.com/blog/meaning-shalom-bible/#