A Culture Of Shalom

Read: Matthew 5:3-12

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9

IN WORD

You long for it. We all do. It’s that state of peace, wholeness, contentment, and completion—a sense that everything is right in your world. We spend much of our lives trying to arrange it, plan for it, pay for it, and pursue it however else we can. Why? Because this Hebrew concept of shalom—a word we often translate as “peace”—is what we were made for. We were created for fullness of life.

That’s essentially what Jesus was talking about when He promised abundant life, and it’s at the heart of what He’s talking about here. Yes, peacemakers help reduce conflict and bring people together, but the bigger concept of shalom is surely behind this Beatitude. Blessed are those who make shalom, who seek restoration and wholeness in their lives, the lives of others, and the world at large. Shalom is a Kingdom pursuit because it’s in the heart of the King. He wants us all to be well.

Most of us understand that instinctively. We know the world is not as it should be, and neither are our own lives. We desperately long for the satisfaction and fullness of a restored, abundant life. And we’re pretty good about seeking it for ourselves. But Jesus’ blessing goes beyond ourselves. The true seekers of shalom, the peacemakers who will be happy, are those who have a global focus. They pray for God’s Kingdom of shalom to come here on earth, just as it is in heaven. They seek the Kingdom culture everywhere.

IN DEED

Shalom is the prevailing climate in God’s Kingdom. People who thrive on conflict, contentiousness, criticism, cynicism, angst, and all other anti-shalom attitudes can’t experience it. But if we are among those who seek it—if we are true peacemakers of this world who cultivate wholeness, harmony, and abundance—we will be blessed, entirely happy, and called the children of God. Shalom-makers partner with God to transform lives and advance the Kingdom culture. We reflect the heart of our Father so thoroughly that we become vessels of His shalom everywhere.

ADDITIONAL READING: Numbers 6:24-26

If the basis of peace is God, the secret of peace is trust.

J. NEVILLE FIGGIS