Where Is There Peace?

George Floyd’s death was the spark to ignite months of COVID-19 frustration and anxiety fueled by generations of racism and entitlement.  As I watched the events unfold; rioting, the setting of buildings on fire, and masked luting, I became very weary.  What can I do?  How am I to respond?  Who is at fault for all of this?

Then the words of Epictetus, a freed Greek slave who went on to become a learned scholar, echoed through my thoughts, “Small-minded people habitually reproach others for their own misfortunes. Average people reproach themselves.  Those who are dedicated to a life of wisdom understand that the impulse to blame something or someone is foolishness. We see the futility of finger-pointing…the more we examine our attitudes and work on ourselves, the less we are apt to be swept away by stormy emotional reactions in which we seek easy explanations…”(The Art of Living, 11).

Or, as the world’s best teacher, Jesus of Nazareth, said, “How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:4-5)

As we watch the horrors on our screens we have a choice.  We can seek easy explanations by pointing fingers and placing blame on society, COVID-19, racism, white privilege, etc.….or we can do the tough work of looking within and examining the condition of our own heart.  Do we use violent words in gossip and judgment of others?  Do we exclude others?  Do we go about our life as though everyone else is wrong and only our opinion is right?

If we want to see peace in the world, we need to become more peaceful. If we commit each day to live mindfully, aware of how our words, tone of voice, attitude, and integrity affect not only how we feel about ourselves but how our presence affects others, we will experience more peace.

If we each do that which brings us peace whether it is walking along the beach, a long run in the countryside, prayer, or studying scripture we will find more peace.  Slowly, this peace we discover will change us into calmer and more joy-filled beings.

Don’t wait for peace to come. Don’t sit complaining about how broken the world is, instead get busy “being the change you want to see in the world.”  (Gandhi)

Blessings,

Rev. Heather McCarrel

The photo taken with this Blog was taken by Markus Spiske