I caught a glimpse of the silver car rapidly approaching in my side-mirror…it went past us like it was on a time-intensive mission. I was doing 75 miles per hour. Them? A whole lot more than that! But in spite of its passing speed, I could not help but notice the large decals on the car windows. The “peace symbol” was boldly displayed. And, being a fan of “personalized plates” (some call them prestige plates…whatever. We actually claim three…the VW reads THE NANA, the Odyssey is tagged 21 REV 4 in remembrance of Dawn-Marie, and the mother-in-law’s Miata bears the plate HER MOMS J)…I digress. Being a fan of “prestige plates” I glanced on the rear bumper and it read PEAC PLZ. The sign of Peace is everywhere…
The classic “chicken foot surrounded by the ring” is on most all of Lucky Brand’s jewelry. Tie-died t-shirts sporting the symbol are reminding us of those hazy days of the late 60’s and early 70’s. Almost expect to see a “Jesus Bus” careening round the next corner as the classic VW transport of choice finds revival! “Peace” is showing up everywhere these days. As Linda headed downstairs for her daily morning workout, I noticed her t-shirt read, “Dream Peace”!
The sign of Peace is everywhere…or is it?
Monday provided a delayed opportunity for some serious Christmas gift pursuit as we headed up to Omaha for shopping and some PF Chang’s. Around 2:00, we were in the checkout line at TJ Maxx (“cashier # 3, please”) when it was announced that there had just been a shooting in the parking lot. We had waited for our spot in line and weren’t about to surrender it for such unconfirmed danger. So we waited, we paid, and we headed to the van. And sure enough…there WAS a shooting in the parking lot! Yards and yards of yellow police tape cordoned off the major portion of the east side of the parking slab. Flashing lights on a dozen or so official vehicles marked the scene. Uniforms seemed to be everywhere. We quickly slid into our Odyssey and drove away as rapidly as possible. Peace is everywhere…or is it?
“Peace on earth”…the mantra of the season. Yet so few have peace. Internal? Their souls are deeply troubled and anxiety dominates the thought life. Horizontal? Peace with those round about is fragile at best. So many relationships discover in this season of celebration just how deeply fractured those trusted commitments have become. Vertical? “They have healed the brokenness of My people superficially, saying ‘Peace, peace.’ But there is no peace.” Jeremiah 6:14 “There is no peace,” says my God, “for the wicked.” Isaiah 58:21
The speeding silver car with the decals and the personal plates spoke volumes in those minutes immediately following the parking lot shooting on Monday. PEAC PLZ. I wonder if that driver knows that God answered the longing of their restless souls. That He HAS sent the One who is our peace.
“He will be called…Prince of Peace. There will be no end to the increase of His government or of peace…” Isaiah 9:6-7
See you Sunday, Church!
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Tom
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