Saturday Lent 1

Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness.

Colossians 3:15 MSG

This invitation from Paul to keep in tune with each other can be challenging.  Peace is what we are called to, but at times, I sense it’s false peace that is in operation.

When we avoid conflict to keep the peace, this may be a sign that false peace is at play. Conflict is not a bad thing. In fact, conflict can be very helpful and necessary to make needed changes in families, communities, and in the workplace.

Avoiding conflict may be a way to calm the inner waves of one’s life that seem enormous, but it may not be the way to move forward in a healthy way for both parties, especially when both parties are in an ongoing relationship.

When I center and ground myself in Christ, meaning I literally become still, silent, and present to the moment, I am able to discern the way forward.  I may not immediately know the way forward, but I am in a better place to wait for the inner guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

The biggest resistance to this could be silence itself.  So much is heard in our inner world through silence.  Perhaps that may be why the world is so loud. I don’t find many people who want to truly hear the voice of their inner being. From experience, I know this can be a scary place to be. There are so many voices, so many thoughts, and so many feelings.

I have found that making peace with myself in quiet places leads to developing courage in conflicting places. Maybe this is a great place to start to heal the world. One person at a time.

May you have the courage to sit in places of silence and stillness to truly become present to each moment.