As I have been thinking about peace during this Advent season, the word strive from 2 Peter 3 has been bothering me. “Strive to be at peace.” That is how my current version words it. So . . . out came my Greek stuff; and in my brief bit of research, I discovered that the word is a verb form of spoudh--speed. Thus, in this verse, it basically means to speedily move forward to be at peace. In my mind, this is a whole lot better than striving for it.
Striving connotes sweat and suffering and unsuccessful attempts to achieve something, in this case to be at peace. But hurrying to be at peace, I think I want to try it. It seems to give me permission to fail in my attempts. I don’t have to work up a sweaty fear that somehow I am not working hard enough. All I need to do is realize the urgency of the need for peace.
This is exactly what I want to do when I remember verse 8 from Psalm 85.
“God the LORD will speak peace to his people.”
I want to run to that promise. I want those words of peace buried into my being, hidden in the deepness of my soul, in that dark and mysterious place where God and I live together. I don’t want to put off hearing those words. I don’t want to delay and miss what might be spoken. I want to race toward that peace and embrace it.
2 comments:
You are a fairly frequent commenter on my husband's blog, Palmer Perspective. I was reading your blog and noticed you are a fan of Sue Monk Kidd. Me, too. I am wondering if you have read Dance of the Dissident Daughter? If so, I am always interested in new conversation partners regarding this work-- reading it was transformative for me. If you have not read it, I recommend it, for sure!
Blessings of peace--
Rochelle Palmer
I began reading Dance twice. The second time I got farther than the first. The third time ought to get it finished. I seem to get started and then need to take some reflective time. I'll grab it again, perhaps after Christmas. I'd be interested in conversing around it.
Peace,
Lisa
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