Philippians 4:4-7
On December 17, 1903, the
Wright brothers made the first successful powered and controlled flight of a
heavier-than-air machine (i.e., a plane). After the historic flight, Wilbur
sent the following message to their father by telegraph ‘Success four flights this morning all against twenty one mile wind
started from Level with engine power alone average speed through air thirty one
miles longest 57 seconds. Inform Press. Be home Christmas.’ So basically the
message was ‘we have flown a machine for
57 seconds and by the way we will be home for Christmas.’ After receiving
the telegram, their sister went to the local newspaper and informed the editor
of her brothers’ flight in a machine. She also mentioned that her brothers were
coming home for Christmas. The editor assured her that he would publish an article
about her brothers. Two days later on December 19th, the paper had the
following headline on the sixth page of the paper: "WRIGHT BROTHERS HOME
FOR CHRISTMAS".
The most important story of the 1903- man’s first flight - and the editor missed it! Sometimes I wonder if you and I do the same coming to Jesus missing what He did and is doing for us. The greatest gift that comes from Jesus is Peace and we neglect it all the time. Jesus said “…my peace I give to you.”(John 14:27). Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace just does not mean peace as we use it i.e., ending hostilities etc. Shalom means ‘making whole’ or ‘completing relationships’ or ‘restoring to completion’. And this includes the binding together of people, their hearts and their minds with each other and with God. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says He gives us His peace, Jesus is binding and reconciling us to Himself and to God the Father forever( 2 Corinthians 5:18). And as part of this Shalom we are given the right and privilege to call God “Abba, Father.”
The most important story of the 1903- man’s first flight - and the editor missed it! Sometimes I wonder if you and I do the same coming to Jesus missing what He did and is doing for us. The greatest gift that comes from Jesus is Peace and we neglect it all the time. Jesus said “…my peace I give to you.”(John 14:27). Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace just does not mean peace as we use it i.e., ending hostilities etc. Shalom means ‘making whole’ or ‘completing relationships’ or ‘restoring to completion’. And this includes the binding together of people, their hearts and their minds with each other and with God. When our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ says He gives us His peace, Jesus is binding and reconciling us to Himself and to God the Father forever( 2 Corinthians 5:18). And as part of this Shalom we are given the right and privilege to call God “Abba, Father.”
But what do we do most of the time? We tend
to run around and we try our best to get this so-called earthly peace by
focusing on material trinkets and try to forge ‘peaceful relationships.’ Real
peace does not exist in pews or narthex or in the one hour we spend in church
and it definitely does not come from shopping at Macy’s or Nordstrom’s. Real
Peace comes from God through Jesus and this peace abides in hearts of His
children.
Therefore, let’s continue to live our
earthly lives and enjoy the blessings of God that bring peace to each of us.
Also let’s live united and in peace with one another as His creation – both in
and outside the church. Let’s spend time with the Prince of Peace—and
enjoy the rest, tranquility, harmony and hope He created in our hearts and
spread the good news.
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