Some Peace

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.                                2 Corinthians 13:11 ESV

How many times have you heard the words, “I just want some peace”? In fact, you have probably uttered these words yourself more than a few times, especially if you are a parent of young children. The words “GIMME PEACE!” are usually uttered in exasperation”. However, peace is never easy to achieve, whether in countries at war, or in the home.

Paul had this trouble with the believers in Corinth. They wanted some peace but didn’t know how to go about getting it. The apostle comes to the rescue in this short verse of advice. He tells them to set their sights high, and to “aim for restoration….comfort….agreement….live peacefully”. Then the God of love and peace would be with them. *Simples* but not so fast, because Paul starts the verse with the word “rejoice”.

Let me get this right. When you are at the end of your tether, and stressed out, he tells us to rejoice? Aye right Paul. Are you serious? Yes, apparently he is. He starts with the command to rejoice, and then comes the rest of the advice. This is all counter intuitive to us, and it must have been the same to the early church too. You didn’t think peace would just fall into your lap, now did you? Getting some of that elusive peace takes effort and action on our part and Paul hits the nail on the head. So, you and I need some peace? Then I suggest we read this verse, and read it over, and then read it some more until it sinks in, because this lesson is in God’s Word so it is a much needed truth for young and old alike. True peace comes through rejoicing.

Malala

Malala Yousafzai is a name that will not be forgotten. The name belongs to a brave young girl who was targetted by the Pakistani Taliban to be shot because she wanted to be educated, and wanted her friends to have an education too. She almost paid the ultimate price, but she survived the bullet to her head, and what is more important, she lives to tell the story, and unbowed, continues to fight for education for all, right across the world.

The terrorists miscalculated. Their plan to silence a young girl who only wanted to hold a pen and notebook, and learn, has backfired and has gone global. This made me look carefully at our vision of education in the UK. For the most part, although thankfully not all, young people here don’t think school is cool, and they will readily complain about almost anything to do with their teachers and lessons. But then they didn’t pay such a high price for their education, did they?

In the years that are coming, who do you think will benefit from their education? Those who moan about it, or those, like Malala, who survive a murderous attack, bounce back, and appreciate the gift that education is? I have already placed my vote.

Like others, I was inspired by this 16 year old birthday girl, who held the UN audience captive by her words, but mostly by her spirit. She didn’t give up. But for me, the most telling part was that she didn’t want revenge on her would be assassins. She wanted peace, forgiveness, and education for others just like her. She got her forgiving attitude from her faith and her parents. We ignore the power of these at our peril. Parents, make sure your example and words deliver the proper messages to your child(ren).   

This was not a Christian message, but very much based on her Islamic faith. I would not and could not defend Islam, but I do recognise courage when I see it, and I applaud that in Malala. Oh, and when you watch her speech, you cannot miss the thanks and praise she gives to her ‘god’, in spite of the fact that her shooter was also of that same faith. She took the chance to make, not only a political, but a religious statement at the same time. Two lessons jumped at me. Firstly, the general attitude of our own youth to education in the UK, and secondly, how quickly she forgave in the name of her ‘god’. I would pray for these attributes to be translated into our secular society, and Christian faith communities in our own nation. Is that too much to expect?

Most Important Job!

We have a new Prime Minister, and his speech outside No 10 was ok. Did you see and hear the outgoing PM's speech a little earlier? It was charged with truth and purpose.


Gordon Brown said something to the effect, "I have had the second greatest job in the country, but the first and greatest job is as a husband and father". Of all the things this ordinary, flawed man has said over the years, and recently, he never uttered a more accurate statement.


Forget the nation's high office. Forget the fame and trappings of being on the world stage, there is no greater work, or job, or vocation, than being a parent! Take that to the bank! It's true, and worthy to be cast in stone. Our children and grandchildren will forget who was prime minister, but they will always remember the parents who loved them above all else, and sacrificed on their behalf.


There are many things about Gordon Brown's premiership which I will not remember in time to come, but I will certainly always remember his speech today as he left the second most important job in the country, to concentrate on Job Number One!