When I put up my last blog post, Pray for Peace, it was during all the protests across the nation. Someone questioned what exactly I meant by praying for peace. Peace can be defined as calm or quiet. Was that what I meant? Not quite—I had something deeper and more enduring in mind. The truth is, what I really had in mind was the Hebrew concept of shalom. Shalom is usually translated “peace”, but the meaning is far richer.
Hebrew is a rather compact language in which one word often holds more meaning than a single English word. Shalombears some similarity to Aloha, in that it can be used to say hello or goodbye, and is also a concept. Shalom encompasses not only peace, but health, well-being, wholeness, prosperity, and good relationship. I’ve even heard it said that it means “everything as it should be”.
It seems to me that true shalom cannot be achieved until every person feels safe, valued, and loved. That’s a lofty goal. Keeping quiet and accepting the status quo will not get us there. As Scripture admonishes, “Do not stand idly by when your neighbor’s life is threatened.” (Lev. 19:16). When we speak out against prejudice, injustice, and mistreatment of all kinds, we are, ultimately, working toward shalom, perfect peace, God’s peace.
What does God’s peace look like? I think Isaiah paints a beautiful picture:
The wolf will live with the lamb,
The leopard will lie down with the goat,
The calf and the lion and the yearling together;
And a little child will lead them.
They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,
For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD
As the waters cover the sea.” (Isaiah 11:6,9)
Wishing you peace in your hearts—and let’s keep praying, and working, for God’s peace in our world.
Shalom!
-J.B.H.
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