Shalom

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;

July 20

As I read Galatians today the word peace jumped out at me. Who doesn’t want more peace in their lives. I looked up the meaning, and the word in Greek is eirēnē, pronounced i-rah'-nay.

The peace of Christianity is the tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and content with its earthly lot.

That makes me feel all wrapped up cozy in a warm blanket. What a beautiful word, it’s tranquil. I want to live in a state of tranquility. As I am contemplating this word peace I remember the word shalom. Shalom means peace in Hebrew. Years ago when I was in Israel I was enamored with this word. When we greet people we say hi and bye. In Israel they say Shalom.

Shalom means: peace, completeness, soundness, welfare, health, prosperity, quiet, tranquility, contentment, friendship, friendship with God, especially in covenant relationship.

Shalom means living in harmony with God and all His creation. It is a deep sense of God’s infinite love. A love that transforms us into people of love. Shalom makes us aware of the grace and divine care and guidance in which we live. It is the deep peace this world so desperately needs. The more of God I have in my soul, the more I can feel this Shalom in my life. He is making more room in me. He is cleaning things out so I can have more. More Shalom, more of Him.

When you say Shalom you are not just greeting a person, saying Hi or bye, you are giving them a blessing.

Shalom, may you be filled with a complete and perfect peace and be full of well-being or,

Shalom, may health, prosperity, and peace of mind and spirit be upon you.

Beyond being just a simple wish for peace and happiness, Shalom suggests a state of fullness and perfection; an abundance of joy and peaceful serenity. The idea is that you are completely, and perfectly overflowing joy. It is not a simple wish for peace and happiness, it is being so filled with true peaceful serenity that it flows from you to others.

So today I leave you with a blessing and say to you,

Shalom