The Prince of Peace

The Prince of Peace by Rebecca Seaton

'He leads me beside quiet waters' Psalm 23:2

    Jesus is often called the Prince of Peace. There are several songs where He is called that and many occasions in the Bible where He is seen bringing peace. It is also something people often give testimony about, as being peaceful in today’s hectic society is something many struggle with and it’s often very significant when God gives us a different response to those around us.


    What does it mean? The idea of being at peace sometimes conjures up an image of total calm, almost oblivious to one’s surroundings. Or is it more the ability to see something different, to be calm despite circumstances? 


    When Jesus calmed the storm (Matthew 8:23-27; Mark 4:35-41), He brought total peace – the storm disappeared at His command. To one of the thieves on the cross, however, He brought peace about what happens after death – there was no change in the immediate situation (Matthew 27:38, Luke 23:32-43, Mark 15:27). Here, Jesus calmed a man’s heart rather than his circumstances. 


    What does this peace mean for us today? I’ve seen a great deal of God’s peace in my workplace. I haven’t always chosen the easiest jobs or schools to work in, but knowing any authority I have comes from God has helped changed my perspective. My peace is in Him because He put me in this place, He wants me to flourish. I can trust when He says, ‘”For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’ (Jeremiah 29:11). Even if this week His plan did involve me teaching Tudor dance to Key Stage 2 boys with SEMH (Social, Emotional and Mental Health) needs for Ofsted!


    As a writer, accepting God’s peace, along with His authority and grace, can free us to do the things that many of us feel are the scarier side of writing. The upcoming ACW Writers’ Day in March will focus on speaking about your writing: something a lot of us feel nervous about. For many writers, the writing is the easier bit but promoting and speaking about our work is much harder. But if we trust God and know He has given us this gift, we should feel at peace about writing. None of the disciples were prepared for life as a follower of Jesus. There wasn’t an apprentice disciple course. Most of them came from jobs that in many ways seemed highly incompatible with discipleship and had to leave them behind.


 Whatever it is: writing, work, family, if it is God who has given it to us, we can be at peace in it.

Rebecca Seaton came second place in the 2017-18 Pen to Print Book Challenge with her first novel, A Silent Song. She recently interviewed the novelist Luan Goldie for an upcoming issue of Write On!

 #amwriting #amwritingfantasy #ACW