Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.
—Psalm 34:14
There's movement in this verse. Evil is a place. To do something good or kind or even productive, I need to get out of there. I need to depart. Only then can I hunt for peace—an entity which exists outside of evil. But seeking it isn't enough. I must follow where it leads. It must become my goal.
Note that if it's my goal, peace is in control of me. I cannot dictate my terms for peace, but must accept peace on its own terms. Making peace, then, isn't expecting others to conform to my idea of what peace is, but to invite others to experience something defined by God, demonstrated by the example of Christ, and animated by the Spirit.
Grant me peace, O God—not as the world offers it and not as my limited mind envisions it, but your peace, which surpasses my understanding; in Jesus' Name. Amen.
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