Striving for Shalom

In Tim Keller's book Generous Justice, he defines "shalom" in the following way:

God created all things to be in a beautiful, harmonious, interdependent, knitted, webbed relationship to one another.  Just as rightly related physical elements form a cosmos or a tapestry, so rightly related human beings form a community.  This interwoveness is what the Bible calls shalom, or harmonious peace…. [Shalom] means complete reconciliation, a state of the fullest flourishing in every dimension – physical, emotional, social, and spiritual – because all relationships are right, perfect, and filled with joy. (Generous Justice, 173-174)

Shalom is what humanity was created to experience.  This is the pattern established in Genesis 1 & 2.  However, shalom is often not our reality.  Instead of reconciliation, we experience separation.  Instead of flourishing, we experience frustration.  Instead of interwoveness, we experience brokenness.  Shalom is not our reality because the Fall is a reality.

However, the GOOD news is that Jesus came to restore shalom.  He came to establish a new kingdom, one in which shalom is the new reality.  And He invites us to join Him in establishing this reality "on Earth as it is in Heaven."

Let's join together to fight for shalom this week.  You can demonstrate and declare this new reality in every sphere of your life this week: at work, at home, at school, during rest, during recreation, etc.  Let's strive for shalom by serving over self and proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed.