How Can You Find Peace?
Shalom. An interesting Hebrew term bidding both greeting and farewell. It is meant to convey wishes of harmony, completeness, prosperity, wholeness, and tranquility. Most often, peace is probably the sentiment most associated with the word, however I believe there is a depth to the construct that offers us an opportunity to examine what we really know about what peace is.
My recent session with the Wimpey family made me think a lot about these varied meanings of “shalom”. In images with three generations, it was clear that there was a focus on harmony. There was such love and involvement from grandparents who clearly know, in the words of Vitor Belford, “Legacy is not what I did for myself. It’s what I’m doing for the next generation.” One particularly poignant image offers a focus on wholeness and prosperity, as a father and grandfather - also a pastor - prays over his son’s law enforcement family. There is tranquility in the quiet moments shared by parents and their beautiful son.
After our session, as I was going through the files and looked at last images of the night (the ones with Haley, Braden, and his badge…the ones that I was scared to beg Braden to run back out onto the beach for because he was “hangry”), I noticed the shield on Braden’s calf. Then I noticed the scripture on his other leg, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9 (KJV). This caused me to examine commentaries on the scripture, including one from Lifeway, which explains that peacemaking does not mean that there is an absence of conflict, appeasement, or avoidance of strife. It also suggests that justice and righteousness require the institution of rules, and therefore peacemaking is an active process - not a passive one. Being a peacemaker - one who seeks justice - comes at a price. Ben Franklin conveyed this idea as he wrote to John Adams in 1781, “Blessed are the peacemakers is, I suppose, for another world. In this world, they are frequently cursed.” As a peace officer, I am certain Braden and his family understand Ben Franklin’s words.
I have experienced my own journey in recent years. However, I found the answer in another scripture about peace, and herein lies the depth of the term, “And the peace of God, which passeth the all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” Philippians 4:7 (KJV). When we trust Him - with our families, with our decisions, with the conflicts we face, with our very lives - we can have perfect peace.
Shalom…
Blessings ~
Lisa