“Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.” Sounds wonderful. Where can I get some?
I know the word. I have heard it often in my lifetime, but to really sit and think about all that it encompasses I have not done. Our pastor at church yesterday was talking about the difference between worldly wisdom and heavenly wisdom (or wisdom from God). Followers of worldly wisdom who do not follow God are without peace. Think about it. When you pursue what the world tells you to pursue, do you feel satisfied? Ever? The world will never give you peace. The kind of peace you desire comes only from a relationship with God. And for me, the word “shalom” encompasses all the best qualities of that feeling.
How many of you are experiencing peace in your life right now? I think we have moments of peace, but a feeling of peace all or most of the time? Is it even possible? I believe that people who meditate on a daily basis experience more peace than most of us. This is because through meditation they are removing themselves from an earthly existence and moving into the spiritual realm. I repeat, this world will not bring you peace. Only God can do that.
I look inward and ask myself the same questions. I feel peaceful with my horse. That’s because horses live in the moment. If you are calm around a horse, most of the time they will reflect that calmness back to you. You focus in on your mutual experience and forget about everything else “out there”. At least that is the way it is supposed to work. If I go to the barn with an agenda or with a head full of what is going on in my life outside of the barn, I am setting myself up for a stressful experience with my horse. I have done that, often, and I go home feeling empty and sad. I know better.
Finding true peace in a world that is chaotic, often unfriendly, unpredictable and even frightening, is practically impossible. Then do we never find peace in our lives? Of course not. God offers us peace. Listen to Him instead of the world. Follow Him. He is where true peace can be found.
When a person of Jewish faith says “shalom” you now know how powerful and deeply meaningful an expression it is. It is more of a blessing or a prayer than a greeting. Take it in. Savor it. Let it flow through your body, embracing all of you. Shalom comes from God. Look there the next time you want more peace in your life. God is reliable. The world is not. God is always there for you. The world is not. God never breaks a promise. The world breaks them daily.
Reread the definition at the beginning of this blog. Think about it. Seek it. Find it in Him. Shalom.