Peace

Peace

That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Peace be with you,” he said.

John 20:19

[On] December 7, 1941, the U.S. enters World War II after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor and begins military conscription. About 772 Old Order Amish men are drafted, and all of them declare themselves CO’s [conscientious objectors].

But that wasn’t the only time the Amish were asked to serve in our country’s military. It happened first during World War I:

Late Spring, 1917

The U.S. begins a national conscription service; some Amish boys receive exemptions for farm deferments as conscientious objectors, but others are required to report to Army camps. Drafted Amish who refuse to enter armed service are sent to the Army camps for non-combatant service and are often subjected to abuse.

Some members of the Amish community express concern over Amish boys being pulled away from the church and not returning to their home communities following their service.

One headline from a 1918 newspaper read, “Amish People Getting Themselves Disliked: Refused to Take Any Part in Patriotic Movements Creates Enmity to Sect.”

It is hard enough living in a country that is facing war. Even harder is knowing that those around you see you as an enemy. In life, there will always be times of trouble. There will always be conflicts. Because of this there is conflict within our souls. There is only one answer to this: peace. And there is only one place where true peace comes from: Jesus. “Peace be with you,” He said.

When the angels announced Christ’s birth, they declared, “Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased” (Luke 2:14). Not peace from war. Not peace from community conflict. But peace deep in our hearts that no one can steal from us.

Dear heavenly Father, I thank You for the peace that Christ gives. I thank You that it is greater than any conflict this world has.