What if the Church had Peace?
View of Jos, Nigeria from an overpass.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
This verse was written in the context of Jesus promising to send his Holy Spirit after he had left them. He knew that his disciples would experience fear in this world, so he gave them a peace that didn’t make sense to the world.
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever… You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17.
Do you understand this peace that Jesus has promised? Do you experience fellowship with the Holy Spirit who is in you? I’m not sure I had ever understood this divine peace until I witnessed it in the least likely context.
During the summer of 2019, I had the privilege of spending a summer in Jos, Nigeria with Wycliffe Bible Translators. Upon receiving my internship assignment, I excitedly googled “Jos, Nigeria” and clicked on “images.” My stomach dropped. Smattered amidst pictures of the cities and the scenery were pictures of war, dead bodies, attacks. This wasn’t where I’d envisioned being sent. I began to research the history of Jos, Nigeria and read stories of kidnappings, bombings, militant Muslims and extremist Christians. Jos, being Nigeria’s “middle belt” has been home to much turmoil, and yet it was where I was going, by the grace of God.
Fast forward. The day finally arrived and I began meeting the people for whom I had so desperately prayed. As I developed deep friendships with Nigerian women, they began opening up and sharing heart-breaking stories that would easily insight fear in anyone’s heart.
The first church service we attended, the pastors announced there had been a local kidnapping and proceeded to lead us in prayer for the freedom of those who had been kidnapped. Later that day, over tea, women shared with us stories of the violence that some of the herdsmen would use to obtain land for their cattle. We all remained aware that Boko Haram, one of the most notorious terrorist groups in the world was a looming presence in the north.
I share this to make a point. One wouldn’t expect to see peace in the eyes of the Nigerians sharing these stories. Most likely you hear these stories and your heart is gripped with fear for these people. But, peace was found.
One afternoon, myself and the two other interns with me attended a Bible study with expats and local Nigerians in attendance. There, we read John 14. Afterwards, processing through the chapter, we discussed the verse on peace.
The women shared about their encounters with peace amidst various trials. Their eyes shined with a firm understanding of God’s goodness and kindness in their lives. They rejoiced in the hope that they found in Jesus Christ and they knew that their peace was not to be defined or found in this world.
These women shaped my perspective of peace. Today, I look at the world and fear knocks, but I turn my attention to Christ and peace is found. True peace, not temporary or circumstantial peace. Peace in the Holy Spirit that has been sent for the sake of those who believe in Jesus.
Today. Do you feel peace? Can you rejoice in the hope of Jesus despite the ongoing pandemic, amidst political uncertainty, through trials and tribulations? From the example of these women, I have discovered peace. I grieve the current state of our nation, I am exhausted by change and uncertainty, but my hope is in the Lord and I have learned to cling to peace though it doesn’t seem to make sense.
May we, the Church, be known by our peace!
