Sunday Thoughts: The Prince of Peace

Where were you on September 11, 2001? 

Ten years ago today, I remember exactly where I was when I learned about the twin towers--which I hadn't even really known anything about--and the terrible things that were happening in our country.  I remember waking up to the radio alarm that was following all the screams of the streets and wondering at first what sort of pranks or annoying talk radio show my roommate had tuned into.  Then she told me what happened, and we went to the Morton Center to eat and watch footage with all our friends, one of whom was from Long Island.  I remember waiting with her, even though we didn't hardly know her (we were all new, it was only the second week of classes our freshman year at BYU) as she tried all day to reach her family.

What I remember most, though, is the first devotional of the year was that day, and President Bateman changed his topic into a simple testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as the Prince of Peace. 

I didn't really understand then what was going on, or how the world was changing and was going to change because of all these events.  I didn't know anyone personally victimized in the attacks.  But the whole thing affected me deeply, anyway.  I was shocked, and numb a little, and confused by the whole experience.  I remember it took me YEARS to feel at peace again.  I would write bad poetry each year on the anniversary, hoping that working through my mixed feelings about our country and about universal loss and about how this tragedy brought out the best in some people and the worst in others would somehow make it all...make sense.  And when that fear of losing others and that frustration with humanity eventually subsided, and I moved forward with time, I haven't really thought too much about it since.

But I know others aren't so lucky.  Some suffered a loss so deep that they still struggle to find peace daily.  Some stopped trying altogether.  Regardless of our experience, and the diversity of our interests and personalities, I know that one of the few things every person in this world shares is the fear of loss, of death or dying, and a need for someone or something to make sense out of our pain and trials.  We all believe different things, and attribute both the challenges and the solutions to different things--from stars aligning just-so to karma to a punishing God to an imperfect world and just the power of people.  But I believe, and even better, KNOW of the universal, absolute truth beyond my beliefs, that the source of all peace in this world is Jesus Christ, our Redeemer. 

Only He could live a perfect life, and even then, when you consider it, what faith we must have had in Him from the beginning!  One vice--one MISTAKE--and all the plans of God would be for naught.  I'm grateful that He overcame the pressure of His purpose and not only lived for us, but suffered and died and was risen again, FOR US.  I know I don't think of Him enough.  I know I don't appreciate or take advantage of these truths, or my knowledge of them, enough.  I know I try, even knowing better, to find peace in other avenues sometimes.  But when all is said and done, I know that there is "no other way nor means by which salvation (or peace) cometh," only in and through our Savior Jesus Christ.  And I know that He WANTS to give us that peace, not as the world giveth, but as only the Savior of our souls can. 

I really do want WORLD peace.  I think war is almost always dumb, even if it is necessary at times.  But I'm grateful that even in a world filled with war, crime, poverty, sickness, death, loss, grief, fear...and so and and so on...we can have inner peace, *lasting* peace, of conscience and of mind and of heart.  I pray that *I* will seek to draw closer to the Prince of Peace, and know that I will find Him.  And I know that if you try, you will do the same.  Maybe we won't all be free of all our fears and grief, but we will find the peace to move forward with our lives, having a broader perspective, and a more forgiving heart, and the strength to make something of what little time we have here.  I can't imagine a greater peace than knowing you did your best to make the most of yourself and your little sphere of influence, serving them with all your heart, trying to make the world a better place...and a relationship with Christ just makes all of that deeper, more meaningful, and more possible because of His grace.