Toilets don't likely appear on most of our Christmas lists.
Neither does Peace. Yet Peace is a goal that many of us seek.
Even as we sings songs of heavenly peace our hearts and minds are fraught with tension and todo lists. Troubles and turmoil tremble under the surface of our sincere effort to bring season’s greetings.
What if peace wasn’t just a distant destination?
What if peace is also the journey?
This last team that recently served in El Salvador went to a new area that Shelter has begun working in over the last 18 months. It’s located around a small city named Berlin. It is located about 4,000 feet above sea level. El Salvador is a country formed by mountainous and volcanic peaks and valleys. I’m not certain of the origins of the name of this city, but I can tell you with great assurance that it’s located in a part of the country that has been neglected; its people, historically ignored by those of power, influence and means.
Our team was reminded that there have been messengers of hope whom God had raised up over hundreds of years. Alberto Masferrer at the turn of the 20th century, and Father Oscar Romero, during the 1970s. They spoke about the importance of valuing human life, the potential of every life, and warned against the oppression that was taking place. They also advocated against violent retaliation in the face of the on-going strife. They spoke about and prayed for peace for their country and peace among their people.
Peace.
There would be a time for peace, they shared. God would bring His peace to the people.
We often confuse peace with cheap substitutes:
Most people say they want peace, but what they crave is control and predictable order.
Many will say they desire peace, but what they insist upon is compliance.
Peace is a universal need that we often exchange for short term passisvity.
However, true Peace is an active agent that nurtures a confidence
to act justly and courageously
in keeping with the righteousness,
grace and truth of God.
Archbishop Oscar Romero said, "Peace is not the product of terror or fear. Peace is not the silence of cemeteries. Peace is not the silent result of violent repression. Peace is the generous, tranquil contribution of all to the good of all. Peace is dynamism. Peace is generosity. It is right and it is duty".
We must learn to look for those who represent and cultivate the peace of God.
To that end, the words of a man named Zechariah are important for us to consider. His words are often neglected in our frantic rush through the Christmas season. However, they inspire hope, strengthen faith, and serve to increase our joy and can only enhance our capacity to demonstrate the generosity of love that is reflective of the heart of God.
Luke 1:76-79
“And you my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him, to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will com to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.”
These are the concluding words of Zechariah’s anthem of praise at the miraculous birth of his son, John the Baptist. These are words that speak to the divine significance of John’s life in the eyes of his earthly father. They are words that undoubtedly shaped the way in which Zechariah and Elizabeth raised their son. They are also words that speak to their profound faith in the promise of God to provide a Saviour: the one who would come after John.
And notice the way in which Jesus, our Saviour, is here described. Several Old Testament analogies are brought back into the minds of those who would know these well: There is one coming who would descend from heaven, to rise like the sun, and to shine in the darkness and to light a way through the shadow of death, guiding our steps along a path of peace.
In a world of conflict and among a people of conflicting values, we can be instruments of change when recognize that the steps we take in these spaces are holy ground. We can recognize the role of peace as a spiritual task that demands developing habits, commitment, and discipline to listen to understand the perspective of others, as we follow Jesus along the path of peace.
What can that peace look like?
This what our team from El Salvador was confronted with as we met with the last of the 26 families that saw new homes built on a small stamp of dusty, rocky property some 18 x 22 feet in surface area.
Jose and Griselda, met at a coffee plantation, where they were both employed, picking coffee beans. They have been married for 30 years. They now have five children and three grandchildren. Sitting in the shade provided by their new Shelter home, they remarked how they never thought a home this stable and secure would ever be possible. They had a deep gratitude, not for us, but for God’s provision, in his time. They have lived in this remote mountain community all of their lives, including the times of civil war and gang violence.
It’s a place that we would consider materially poor. It’s difficult to get to and difficult to get from. In several of our family connection times we would hear someone say that they would just need to walk the path over there to get to the town, or work or to church. We would instinctively turn to look, thinking that it must be just a short distance, a small city block or two. However, it became clear that these paths they walked covered some distances, several kilometres at a time. It might take 90 minutes to walk to town up and down the mountain paths. It might take an hour to walk to church. In fact this family, and a few others, talked about the value of being connected to a church family. This family shared how the most important thing that they have learned over the years in knowing the presence of God in your life.
As we often do, I asked Jose about his dreams for his family, now that the Lord has provided a safe and secure home. It’s Christmas time afterall, it’s the time where wish lists are written and big asks are normative – for us.
Jose leaned back, folded his hands and against the historical backdrop of oppression, civil war, material poverty and division, simply said, “All I want is for my family to have peace. We can live peacefully now.”
It was an amazing week, that’s my one word: "Amazing!" This family is part of the reason why. Of all that we could think about. Of the lists that were likely being written if we were asked the same question in that same setting, peace would likely not appear on any of our lists.
Because of our lack of understanding, we pressed him for something with which we could relate. He then added: a toilet, I’d like to add a toilet with water that can flush.
He may never get that toilet.
And we may never understand his peace.
It's the Peace that comes to the hearts of people, the peace that causes us not to fear. It's the peace that comes from Jesus, the Prince of Peace. It unfolds on earth as it is in heaven and reflects His Kingdom of Peace to come.
This Christmas, may we be people who walk the path of peace, as we follow Jesus into a world that needs it.
Plaque on Jose and Griselda's property:
Psalm 9:9 - "The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble,"
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