Last year, I sat on a beach in Antigua on Sabbath and watched the sunset. Apart from the chatter of stray people walking along the beach, the gentle lashings of the waves from the incoming tide had centre stage.
The opening line of John Rutter’s ‘A Gaelic Blessing’ is reminiscent of the scene:
“Deep peace of the running wave to you.”
Running waves, fluid and consistent in motion, move in rhythm with our heartbeat. The movement of water calms the mind and soothes the spirit. It provides peace, deep peace in a world fraught with challenges.
We live in a world where the price of peace is at a premium. On Friday, 13 June, Iran vowed to retaliate to Israel’s air strikes the previous night. And yes, missiles have been exchanged over Jerusalem and Tehran overnight. The phrase ‘World War III’ is being spoken by politicians, news reporters and economists. Or perhaps a fifth Middle East war.
Over the past week, we have seen world leaders become involved in the conflict. Some demand ‘complete surrender’, while others send fighter jets into the area. Amid the high-level wrangling, thousands fled Tehran in fear of further bombardment. The death toll rises on both sides of the fence.
However this military standoff plays out, it is currently escalating in an already politically destabilised region littered with the leavings of centuries of conflict. It is a worrying time as Western nations bounce into an already tense situation, potentially adding fuel to the forest fire of stinging words and ready weapons.
The political world stage is awash with leaders who call for peace but are purchasing weapons, increasing military budgets and using the word ‘war’ as their default narrative.
In times like these, we need more than the “deep peace of the running wave.” We need the “deep peace of Christ, the Light of the World.” We know that we can turn to the Word of God to provide us not only with answers to the world’s problems but with reassurance.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7).
The “peace of God” is deep. Far from fleeting, it remains as we go to the Father and tell Him about our concerns. Whether these are global, national, local or even internal, He is ready to listen and provide calm in the middle of conflict.
Stewardship is all about faith-raising. Ensuring that our relationship with God is one that is secure and surrendered. This leads to trust in the middle of crises and storms. It’s the calm assurance even when wars rage around us.
Let us accept the peace of Christ in our lives today by ‘casting all our cares on Him’.