Carriers of Peace

Joey LeTourneau:

Carriers of Peace

Peace is an interesting subject to me, and a hot topic in the world. It is very needed, sought after, and hoped for, yet often so misunderstood. There are two things about peace I believe the Lord wants us to understand more clearly during this time. First, we already have more peace than we realize, for peace is a Person named Jesus, and He lives within us. Second, when we know Peace as a Person who already resides in our lives, we cease from being pursuers and we become carriers of peace to a world that is longing for such.

World Peace Or Your Piece?

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. John 16:33

We may not find peace in the world, but the world can find peace in us. Jesus tells us that in the world we will find difficulties, divisions, and the like, which we all can see happening. But, He also assures us that in Him we may have peace, because He has overcome the world. If we want to see peace in the world, or in our circumstances, it is us who will carry and deliver such as the world waits for the piece of the puzzle that is alive in you and me. God is raising up an army whose weapon is peace.

Misconceptions of Peace

...be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. And the God of peace will crush satan under your feet shortly...Romans 16:19-20

We often misunderstand peace to be passive, and much of the time we are trying to "keep our peace." But God has called forth a people bearing His likeness who walk in peace as an offensive strategy who will give their peace away for the sake of the world, yet are never lacking such because the well of Peace is deep within them.

Another misconception of peace I come across in my own life is that we often relate peace with laziness or inactivity. When was the last time when asked how you were doing that you responded, "I'm peaceful"? I can't remember the last time I said that – it's just not a common response. Instead, we often respond with how "busy" we are, how "stressed" we've been, or how "crazy" life has been. Do we realize what we're saying?Are we afraid that someone will mistake us as lazy or unsuccessful? We must not speak strife into our lives, or, instead of breeding peace, begin to spread its counterpart.

Peace is very underrated because it moves so quietly, and often without being seen. It is difficult to value the unseen, but that is often where the greatest value hides. Peace can't be measured as some things can, but that should not devalue the anointing it can and will have through the lives of those who believe.

Shalom

Shalom, in a single word, is among the first of my go-to prayers. It is a power-packed, loaded word that brings holistic definition to our concept of peace. I declare shalom when praying over our family and over our house, and I have seen God heal sickness through a simple prayer of "Shalom."

According to Strong's#7965, "Shalom" is defined by: "completeness, wholeness, health, peace, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity, perfectness, fullness, rest, harmony, the absence of agitation or discord." Many of us are striving to have just a few of these words present in our life. Yet, with shalom, God has given us an "all for one" sort of deal.

This "whole" definition is very important because it takes every form of peace we often pursue externally and puts them together in one package that we as Believers already freely possess in order to freely give away. Sometimes we will pursue prosperity and, in doing so, lose our health. We might pursue perfectness but sacrifice true rest. We plug one hole of the leak only to watch another spring about, and therefore steal even more peace from our lives. That is the enemy's plan.

But Jesus is "Sar Shalom," the "Prince of Peace," and He lives in us. Just as shalom, or salam, is a greeting in so many nations across the world, our Heavenly Father has spoken shalom over us and even given such to us in the form of His Son. If we recognize that Jesus is alive in our life, then we also must recognize that we already possess every facet of the above definition of shalom. Shalom is a wellspring within us that will not run dry, and is the most pregnant form of peace that we may carry to the world.

Carriers of Peace

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

Jesus set the ultimate example, not just for the peace He carried, but the priority He gave peace as an offensive tool of transformation when sending others into mission. Look at the passages where Jesus sent the twelve and the seventy: Each time we find that He gave them one thing to carry, and hopefully, leave behind. "If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it" (Matthew 10:13), "But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.' And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it..." (Luke 10:5-6).

When Jesus blessed the peacemakers to be called sons of God, He gave us a clear mandate of the true intention and mission of peace. It is not something to be kept or simply hoped for, but Peace is the Presence that will mark the revealing of the sons of God so many are believing for (see Romans 8). We may not ever find peace in the world, but I thank God that the world will find Peace in us. May we, as carriers of Peace, now arise and go out to the world each day!

Joey LeTourneau
M.A.R.K. 10:14 Family/Heavenly Hope Ministries
Email: joey.letourneau@gmail.com
Website: bringhishope.org / uncommonvision.org

Joey LeTourneau, his wife Destiny, and their four daughters live near Denver, Colorado. They travel extensively, empowering the Body of Christ to draw near to their First Love and live out the life-giving testimony of Jesus to the world around them. They desire to see the Father's heart fully revealed to the world, and through such see a multiplication of life so abundant the whole world will know the true nature of our Father! Joey has authored two books, Revolutionary Freedom, and his new release, The Life Giver.