THE SEED
“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace.” Colossians 3:15
Are you familiar with the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi? It begins with the words “Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” Then it describes some ways we can spread God’s peace around us: “Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy.” This beautiful prayer reminds us of the role we have as Christians. Like all of God’s blessings, the gift of peace is not intended to be something we keep to ourselves. God, who has made peace with a rebellious creation through the death of Jesus (see Colossians 1:19-20), calls us to be peacemakers in his world. This is a striking testimony to God’s willingness to stoop down to our level. Large peace has been secured by God in Christ, yet God tells us to “let the peace of Christ rule.” How incredibly humble of God to place the advancement of his peace in our hands. Of course, God doesn’t require our help to do his work in the world. But he wants us to participate in the glory of Christ’s rule over creation. He wants us to live up to the high calling of peace-making. Is there someone God is waiting for you to make peace with?
BIBLE READING: COLOSSIANS 3:15-17
PRAYER: Lord, the only peace we can share with others is the peace you have first given us. Increase our desire to see your peace flow out of us to bless a hurting world. Amen.
ILANA ÀLÀÁFÍÀ
IRUGBIN NAA
“Ẹ sí jẹ kí àlàáfíà Ọlọrun ki o o máà ṣe akoso ọkan yin, sínú èyítí a pé yín pẹlu nínú ará kàn; ki ẹ sí máa dúpẹ́.” Kolose 3:15
Ṣe o faramọ adura ènìyàn mímọ Francis ti Assisi bi? O bẹrẹ pẹlu awọn ọrọ “Oluwa ṣe mi ni ohun elo alaafia rẹ ” O ṣe apejuwe awọn ọna diẹ ti a le tan alaafia Ọlọrun yi kakiri wa; Nibiti ikorira wa, jẹ ki a funrugbin ìfẹ; nibiti ipalara ba wa, idariji; níbi tí iyèméjì wà, ìgbàgbọ́; níbi tí àìnírètí wà, ìrètí, nibiti òkùnkùn ba wa, ìmọ́lẹ̀; ati nibiti ibinujẹ ba wa, ayọ. Àdúrà dara dara yìí rán wa létí gbogbo ohun tí a ní gẹ́gẹ́ bí Kristẹni. Gẹgẹbi gbogbo awọn ibukun Ọlọrun ẹbun Alaafia kii ṣe ipinnu lati jẹ ohun ti a tọju si ara wa. Ọlọ́run tí ó ti ṣe àlàáfíà pẹ̀lú ìṣẹ̀dá iṣọ̀tẹ̀ nípa ikú Jésù (wo Kólósè 1:19-20), ó pè wá láti jẹ́ onilaja nínu ayé Rẹ. Èyí jẹ́ ẹ̀rí dídánilẹ́kọ̀ọ́ sí ìyọ̀ǹda Ọlọ́run láti tẹ̀ síwájú dé ìpele wa. Àlàáfíà ńlá ni Ọlọ́run ti mú wá nínú Kristi, síbẹ̀ Ọlọ́run sọ fún wa pé ká “jẹ́ kí Àlàáfíà Kristi jọba.” Iyalẹnu ti ìrẹlẹ Ọlọrun gbe ilọsiwaju alaafia rẹ si ọwọ wa. Ọ́lọ́run ko nilo iranlọwọ wa lati ṣe iṣẹ Rẹ. Ó fẹ́ ká máa gbé ní ìbámu pẹ̀lú ìpè gíga ti àlàáfíà. Ǹjẹ́ ẹnì kan wà tí Ọlọ́run ń dúró dè láti wá ní ìbámu àlàáfíà pẹlú?
BIBELI KIKA: Kolose 3:15-17
ADURA: Oluwa, alafia kansoso ti a le pin pẹlu awọn elomiran ni alaafia ti iwọ ti kọkọ fun wa. Mu ifẹ wa pọ si lati ri i pe alaafia rẹ n ṣan jade ninu wa lati bukun agbaye ti a npalara. Amin.