Word of the Week - Shalom
This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper. Jeremiah 29:4-7
The Hebrew word Shalom has a far more comprehensive meaning than its English translation of peace. Although peace is a good definition and a fruit of God’s spirit that we all desire, the Hebrew meaning of Shalom is described as the webbing together of God, humans and all creation in harmony, wholeness, fullness, abundance, justice and fulfillment. Shalom means universal flourishing and delight – a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed (living in God purpose), a state of living that inspires joyful wonder (divine curiosity). In other words, Shalom is the way things ought to be when we are living with a sense that “all is well”.In the Garden of Eden before the Fall, Adam and Eve lived in perfect Shalom. Because of the fall, we live in a broken and sin filled world that is anti-Shalom due to the adversary who is out to steal, kill and destroy. That being said, God’s intent for His sons and daughters (us) through the blood of the Cross is that as we abide in Him, we are redeemed in Christ and restored to what He intended for us from the beginning. Yes, even in 2020 in this crazy culture we live in, we can experience Shalom. God is clear throughout scripture in both the old and new testament that He has come to set us free and give us “life that is truly life” Shalom. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” Jeremiah 29:11 and “ The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance” John 10:10. Shalom is abundant life.How do we live in Shalom:
- First and Foremost, we must surrender our lives fully to Christ and His Lordship – “Trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths”. Proverbs 3:5-6
- Know God by abiding in Christ daily through His Word, prayer and spiritual disciplines – “I am the vine and you are the branches, if you abide in me I will abide in you and you will bare much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing”. John 15:5 & “My sheep hear my voice, I know them, and they follow me” John 10:27
- Be a peacemaker and strive to live in Harmony with God and others – “Peacemakers who sow in peace will reap a harvest of righteousness” James 3:18
If we take hold of God’s intention for us and depend upon Him for our strength, then we can experience Shalom in Christ. More importantly, we can stay faithful to God and stand strong in our godly values without compromising, while at the same time living and working within the world and our communities, continuing to influence our culture for good and ultimately for God’s glory. If we experience Shalom then we will be salt and light to those around us and God will use us to expand His Kingdom as we live with eternal purpose and perspective.Shalom,-Duane