Perspective on the Peace Testimony

by Marvia Lindsay
Scarsdale Meeting

There is a song by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller entitled, “Let There Be Peace On Earth,” and it continues, “and let it begin with me.” This I would say is the true requirement for peace in our world. We may want to bring peace to our world but if we are not expressing peace in our lives we are contributing to the conflict in the world. As One Creation, we are interconnected, and our behaviors affect each other. Therefore when peace is expressed in our hearts it flows to our family and changes the atmosphere within our homes , and through our interactions, it flows to others outside of the home and within the community.

As Quakers we believe that there is “That of God” present in all people, but as we live our lives we tend to forget that there is a Divine Creative Power dwelling within us at all times. We tend to look outwards for our salvation and peace. We look to others for material gains, happiness, solutions to our problems and for our well-being. In putting these things before our relationship with God, we have created “idols”. Eventually this misplaced focus brings us pain and suffering.

The prophet said, in Isaiah 32:17, “The effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.” True peace beyond our understanding comes only from God; any peace we get from the world is not lasting. We will not experience true peace until we have developed a working relationship with God. We develop this relationship through daily prayer, meditation and reading spiritual literature.

In order to bring more peace into our lives and in the world, we cannot just mouth the belief that there is “that of God in each of us,” we must genuinely believe it and act accordingly. If we genuinely believed and acted on that belief, we would, according to A Course in Miracles, “ acknowledge Christ in all our brothers and sisters, and recognize His Presence in ourselves.” If we believed and acted on this belief, we would treat each other as we wished to be treated and peace would flow freely in our world.

Another practice that brings us peace is forgiveness. Jesus Christ taught the importance of forgiveness throughout his teachings. He included it in The Lord’s Prayer, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” and with his last breath he forgave those who participated in his crucifixion, with, “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”. He displayed his understanding of how difficult the process could be when he told Peter that he may have to forgive the other 70x7 times. Forgiveness releases us from the negative restrictions (hate, vengeance, fear, resentment, spite) we have placed on ourselves and the other because of the wrong we believe he/she inflicted on us. It does not mean we agree with what the person did, but it frees us of the psychic burden we’ve been carrying around, which limits our own potential and blocks our recognition and acceptance of God’s Love and Inspiration. It opens our hearts to God’s Love.

Another wonderful tool which brings us peace is gratitude. In 1Thessalonians 5:18 it says, “In all things give thanks.” It is the crises of the dark times which bring us closer to God, and there is good which will be revealed eventually. Let gratitude lift our mood by Grace to a sweeter, calmer level of consciousness. When done daily, it brings peace.