Peace on Earth?

**Before you begin reading, sit down, breathe normally and be quiet for 1 minute.**

    Can there really be peace on earth? Sometimes it is difficult to live with peace as the world around us is anything but peaceful. Wars that never end, relationships that are severed, chronic illness, so much more seem to plague any opportunity for peace on earth. U2’s Peace on Earth reflects the reality and angst of this dichotomy.

A few verses:

Heaven on Earth
We need it now
I'm sick of all of this
Hanging around
Sick of sorrow
I'm sick of the pain
I'm sick of hearing
Again and again
That there's gonna be
Peace on Earth
Jesus can you take the time
To throw a drowning man a line
Peace on Earth
Hear it every Christmas time
But hope and history won't rhyme
So what's it worth
This peace on Earth

    Many times we feel like Jesus does not see, does not hear and we want something, anything. Jesus, can you take the time to throw a drowning man a line? Does God care amidst the war, the sickness, the pain? If he does, then why doesn’t he do something about it? Why doesn’t he end it all and bring final peace?
    There are no answers that satisfy this angst, the pain and the weariness of the reality that there is not complete peace on earth, at least not yet.

In addition to U2’s expression are verses from I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day which say,

And in despair I bowed my head:
"There is no peace on earth," I said,
"For hate is strong and mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good will to men."

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
"God is not dead, nor doth he sleep;
The wrong shall fail, the right prevail,
With peace on earth, good will to men."

    And this is what we hope and pray; that the bells would ring louder, deeper and that we would trust that God is neither dead nor is he asleep.   
    Which song do you relate to more right now in your life? Take some time to talk to God and hear what He wants to speak to your heart.

**Sit quietly again for as much time as is available to you.**