NOT DISORDER BUT PEACE
Navigating a world of increasing chaos and disorder makes life challenging. Every year even as we become more connected with others through better technology, chaos and disorder appears to be more evident. Disorder is primarily internal, manifesting in one’s actions and then becomes evident in the society. Disorder brings efficiency to a grinding halt and eats away productivity, eventually making man only a shell of himself.
Paul addresses this in the context of disorder in the church and says,
“God is not a God of disorder but of peace….” 1Corinthians 14:33
Through this interesting statement, he reminds us that disorder is alien to the nature of God. When disorder becomes evident in one’s life and community, it is a progression away from the perfect nature of God which man has the potential to imbibe and replicate. Paul also draws a contrast between disorder and peace, indicating that the true antidote to disorder is peace.
Peace as referred to in the Bible is not something that can be attained by complex maneuvers like meditation or catch phrases, rather something that is inherent to the nature of God and can be received only by a union with God. In Jesus’ parting words to his disciples,
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27
Jesus makes it amply clear that true inner peace comes only from God through Christ. The peace he gives is quite different from what can be attained by other means. And when this peace comes home, it takes away the chaos within the soul as well as the fear. And when the chaos within is gone, disorder without evaporates. One is able to navigate through the complexities of life without being perturbed. A community of such people will demonstrate calmness in the face of adversity. When true peace comes home, disorder vanishes. It is then that man accomplishes his full potential here on earth.
