Weekend Talk: Peace like a river

In our discourse on the need for peace in our nation, several images come to mind, including a river. When we use the image of a river to describe peace, we are looking at the ability of peace to sustain us as individuals or as a nation.  

As a river continuously flows and is renewed, so we desire that peace within our souls and our nation be continuous and revitalised. 

For this reason, it is obligatory for individuals and the nation to pursue free-flowing peace and not block it with our attitudes and utterances that lead to violence.

Peace on two levels

I am discussing peace from two levels: the personal level, which flows from within us and the national level which calls for peaceful co-existence, both interconnecting.

The personal level of peace draws us to the phrase “Peace like a river” from Horatio Spafford’s hymn, “It is well with my soul.” 

Spafford wrote the hymn under severe distress when all his four daughters perished when their ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean in 1873. Earlier in 1871, his son had suddenly died of fever and a great fire had destroyed his businesses in Chicago.

Spafford wrote the song, declaring that despite the massive loss and shock, it was well with his soul. Peace, like a river, never stopped flowing in him, for he was anchored in Christ.

Such peace could only emanate from Christ who lived within him, just like legendary sufferer Job said, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (Job 19:25).

Feeling thirsty

Thinking about “peace like a river” sends us to the end of a great feast where Jesus said to those who ate and drank, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink, for out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37).

Feeling thirsty is a metaphor for restlessness. If you feel miserable, unhappy, restless and without peace, whom do you go to? Jesus said, “Come to me!”

When North African Theologian Bishop Augustine said “The heart is restless until it finds its rest in its Creator,” that insightful statement hinged on the quest for peace.  

King Solomon also said, “God has set eternity in the human heart” (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Eternity is associated with God only, so unless we find him, our heart will be empty, restless and not at peace.

Peace with God

In that case, peace is a personal endowment that wells from within us to eternity. If the peace that is derived from the inside can be stable, secure and unperturbed despite the outward circumstances, then that peace must be grounded firmly in Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Thus, when we have a solid relationship with God through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, we have peace with God, which guarantees eternal life.  

Therefore, eternity being our most enduring gift and heritage, we cannot compromise our relationship with God and the peace we derive from this relationship.

Peace with people

But, while peace for eternity requires our relationship with God, peace on earth requires a good relationship with people.  Hence, the scriptures enjoin us, “As long as it depends on you, live peaceably with all people” (Romans 12:18). 

Therefore, on a national level, peace is every nation’s most critical commodity if we want progress and development. That is why after a protracted civil war leading to mass human destruction, there is a need for forgiveness and national reconciliation.  

When scientist Albert Einstein said, "Peace cannot be kept by force; it can only be achieved by understanding", that was a call for collaboration. Although military peace-keeping helps to quell insurrection and war, at the end of the day it is dialogue, understanding, alliance and consensus building that eventually forge peace.

To avoid violence!

Misunderstanding and conflict need not downgrade into violence. If you don’t understand your neighbour, that shouldn’t lead to bloodshed. Former American president Ronald Reagan said it right: "Peace is not the absence of conflict; it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means."  

For example, political campaigning may result in conflict and misunderstanding, but it doesn’t have to lead to physical assault and carnage.  

Personal peace can be seriously hampered if pandemonium breaks out in our communities or if the entire nation is thrown into chaos.

Violence and mass displacement are an indelible blot on the conscience of every nation’s leadership and citizenry. And what profit do we derive from such brutality?

It is, therefore, sad to hear leaders of this country constantly beating war drums, throwing tantrums at each other and damning the consequences.  

The other day, I heard a former military head of state of a West African country trying hard (and in vain!) to justify the bloody war the country was plunged into under his leadership. Again, better to avert a war than try to glue the pieces together afterwards.

The writer is a publisher, author, writer-trainer and CEO of Step Publishers.
E-mail: lawrence.darmani@gmail.com