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If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?

This is one of the most popular questions in beauty contests and, as every beauty queen knows, the right answer is an enthusiastic: “World Peace!”.

This always gets a cheer but when the clapping fades we realise that this is not really the answer but rather an ideal we desire which tells us that we need change – the questioner wants to know “How? How can we change the world to get something like global peace?” – “What must we change or invent?”. We know we need “World Peace” the question is “What is that?” and, of course, “Where/how can we get it?”.

A Global Peace Empire

The philosopher Epictetus once said:

While the emperor may give peace from war on land and sea, he is unable to give peace from passion, grief and envy. He cannot give peace of heart for which many yearn more than even for outward peace.

Although many developed nations today enjoy relative local peace, we are all painfully aware that even our strong emperors (governments) cannot export this peace to the entire world. Darfur, Tibet, Palestine, Myanmar, North Korea, Zimbabwe and many other regions are testimony to this. Historically, even the largest and most powerful empires could not extend their (form of) peace very far and it was constantly having to be defended on all fronts and internally. Since the Roman Empire almost 2000 years ago peace and unity has become more fragmented and elusive. Humans, it seems, are not able to install peace but we sure as anything desire it.

Resignation

U2 has a song called “Peace on Earth” which starts

Heaven on Earth, we need it now
I’m sick of all of this hanging around
Sick of sorrow, sick of the pain
I’m sick of hearing again and again
That there’s gonna be peace on Earth

Sounds resigned, are we resigned to suffering? I can’t even remember the last time I thought seriously about World Peace – could it be that we have given up on the notion of global peace as modern disillusioned realists?

A Perspective from the Psalms

That old book, the Bible, hasn’t. It’s optimistic and promising to the extreme. The Psalms are full of hope, joy and praise for life and God! Consider, for example, these extracts from Psalm 34 although the theme runs through the entire book:

… let the afflicted hear and rejoice. … I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears…. Those who look to him are radiant;… This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles…. Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him…. those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

Incredible! The author is definitely high on something and he’s sure it’s God. But how can this be? We all have troubles, lack good things, have fears and very few of us consider ourselves radiant and joyful! What are we missing? Surely not an imaginary bully in the sky! Let’s hear the man out…

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;… The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

You knew there was a catch didn’t you! We have to be righteous before we get all that stuff – what a downer – God probably has a really high standard which we can never meet! Feeling overwhelmed? Let’s hear the end, don’t stop reading yet…

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

So God is near and wants to help those who have given up hope! Those feeling overwhelmed und weak. If there are 7 steps to coming to God, I’d say we’ve covered steps 1 to 4 so far.

Step 1. Recognise our condition
Step 2. Desire and pursue the Good
Step 3. Realise we cannot make it
Step 4. Realise God can help

Here is where we need to finish reading the Psalm to proceed to step 5:

The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Step 5: Take refuge in God

We’re almost there, World Peace, Inner Peace, knowledge and reconciliation of God is within a hand’s grasp… but what does “take refuge in God” mean. What does it mean that the “LORD delivers” – I thought the LORD was the problem – he made this whole mess didn’t he? He set the righteous standard so high and made it so hard to follow and sin so attractive didn’t he?

Let’s not be discouraged when we’ve gotten so far: dare to believe that God is Good and only Goodness comes from Him. Dare to believe that he loves you personally, wants to help, to get involved and make it easy for you! Summon all your courage and consider your part and blame in the whole mess. Have faith in goodness and take the leap to step 6:

Step 6: Hear and receive the Good News of Jesus

What is the good news? It’s hardly ever on the cover of newspapers. It is simply this:

That you can be reconciled with God, once for all, by believing in his Son, Jesus, and accepting what he lived and died for: your salvation.

That’s it! That’s all you need. It’s like this massive present standing in your front Yard for 2000 years and you just needed to unpack it! What’s holding you back? Unpack it and you’ll be where you need to be and have your hearts desire: inner, lasting peace with God and goodwill to all men.

Step 7 (the destination): Fellowship and intimacy with God, the step into his Light.

The world will not be changed for a better, lasting peace, by powerful people, governments, technologies or better energy sources and resources. The world will be changed, one heart at a time.