Your Kingdom Come

If the west side of Chicago was to be transformed into neighborhoods that gleamed with material abundance and was ride of violence, chronic disease, poverty, and addictions but still did not know God and His love displayed in the life of Jesus, all would be for naught. As I near my 6 month mark of living in North Lawndale, I realize that peace does not mean the absence of problems A and B, but the presence of God and knowing His love. I realize that my role at the health center is that of a peacemaker; yes, I need the strength of Jesus to face the violence of poverty, substance abuse, chronic diseases, etc. etc. that many of my patients come to me with. Just as healing involves more than just physical wellbeing, peace is also a multifaceted reality that can only be possible through knowing God and his love. Internal peace, external peace, peace within oneself, peace within the community, peace between you and God, between you and your neighbor, is only possible through God and the peace that He extends to us. Essentially, peace is an extension of God's grace. I am broken, and am utterly rejected and lost without the cross. I pray that I would be a better steward of Shalom and that I am able to extend the peace of God in my daily interactions with others.