Today is God’s Grace
received not in vain but in
awe and total trust.

Today is God’s Grace
lavished on us not through works
but because He loves.

Today is God’s grace–
the day of our Salvation,
His awesome favor.

So, rise and be blessed!
Jesus has so much for you
In peace, receive it. 

After Jesus’ crucifiction, the disciples were huddled about, afraid and in hiding. I admit, I’d be right there with them, wondering “What now?” (Hey, kind of like I think every time I pay attention to the news!!) But then Christ appeared  to them and said these words:

“Peace be with you.”

(read the whole passage, pretty please, so that the rest of my post will make sense!)

In the Greek, that word peace is “Eirene” (pronounced i-ray’-nay). I love the way it rolls off my tongue. (irrrRaaayynay!!!) And it’s definition according to my favorite resource is this:

• a state of tranquility (lack of war)
• peace between people, harmony
• security, safety, prosperity
• “The tranquil state of the soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.” (emphasis mine)

If there is ever a time in my life that I want to claim Eirene, it’s now. But, walk out your front door and talk to people you know and you’ll have a good idea of how far we are from Eirene. Especially those of us who are His body. Maybe some of us are choosing to turn our backs on what Christ offers. Maybe some of us are ignorant of His gifts. Perhaps we are striving for what cannot be earned. Maybe we had it, and let someone else swat it out of our grasp.

Whatever the reason, some of us in the church have been hiding, fearful. We’ve felt the dischord, the insecurity, the poverty, the doubts that plague us to the point where we think to ourselves “Unless I touch the nail marks in His hands…the wound in His side, I will not believe.”

I’m tired of living the Thomas life. Aren’t you? Wanna hear something cool? Christ greeted the group that included Thomas (the second appearance) with the exact same phrase. His offer of peace is the same for all types. Believers and strugglers, doubters and faith-filled. Wherever you land on the spectrum of faith, Christ still offers His peace. 

Something about the word Eirene has captured my imagination. Like the idea of a new person entering the world. How does knowing Eirene exists change me? How will that change my behavior? How will watching Eirene grow, grow me? Can I feel Eirene now? If so, do I feel it easily, or do I have to concentrate to feel the slightest flutter? If I feast daily on His word, gorge myself on His promises, maybe those movements will grow stronger and more powerful or perhaps the fear will fall away completely and the security, the perfect state of tranquility, will rise. 

Crazy talk, right? No. It’s the sanest thing I’ve pondered all week. How to nuture peace. Eirene peace. Starting in my heart and working it’s way out into the world in concentric circles. How to act for Eirene. How to speak as if Christ was speaking Eirene through me.

This is a good thing. 

Eirene

I have a good friend who makes it a point to give a list of ten things to accomplish by your next birthday. On my birthday, nearly a month ago, I was presented with the following list:

1. Attend a dance for universal peace
2. Walk to Emmaus
3. Sell a piece of artwork
4. Bust an original rhyme for a stranger
5. Treat yourself to a massage
6. Go to a Broadway play
7. Free Hugs
8. Take an entire day for yourself
9. Get a piercing
10. Write a short story

I figure that if I can concentrate on one per month, maybe I will be able to get the entire list done this year. I’m not all that excited about the Broadway play, but you know…I’m open to new experiences. Watch me embrace life! Woohoo!!!

This friend also presented me with a copy of Wild Goose Chase, by Mark Batterson. I think I am taking the challenge…Following the Wild Goose….

Over at wordle.net you can plug in any amount of text or any rss feed and out comes something like this:

This is the 12stepscloser wordle I created. Click on the image to see it up close. I like how big God and Fellowship and Light are so large and noticeable. I hope that is true in my life as well.

What does your look like?

“I gave you a song,
beautiful in melody,
yet you do not sing.

I long for your song
the one I sang over you
before there was time.”

“I gave you colors
and beauty in Earth and sky,
yet, you do not paint.

The masterpiece missed–
the one I brushed inside you
when the Earth was formless.”

“I gave you stories
rich with meaning and Grace,
and you haven’t told them.

The greatest story
has come to your life, through Christ.
TELL it, my child, TELL.”

There is no response
other than “Yes” to you, Lord.
As you have willed–Yes.