Subjective Experiences with Peace

subjective peace is questionable

I totally understand the Old Testament concept of peace, transliterated shalom. It is the entire basis for community in the Hebrew Bible. Shalom is a shared peace, not necessarily subjective at all. It is the peace that we have between God and man, but also the peace that we have between man and man. Shalom includes the ideas of wellness and wholeness, not just of individuals, but also of the community. Shalom is used as a common greeting. In many ways, it is the glue that holds a community together. It is our peace with God moreso than my peace with God. So it is not really subjective.

I have offered a brief explanation of shalom, knowing full well my limitations. Nonetheless, I think I have the basic idea. Once I understood shalom, I even had a little bias against subjective peace.

The last few days have removed the bias against subjective peace. I have experienced an inexplicable peace visiting me over and over again, day after day.

I have left these notes on X where I track my own particular moments and movements.

You can follow me on X @JaredIngle2022

Day 1

Today I sat in a calm, still, silence. I simply sat in God’s Presence and He sat with me. I read from John. I journaled. I remained in the silence. I do not know what to ask for today but I do know the peaceful silence is the answer at times.

Day 2

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4.7

I’m thankful for the peace of God today that has permeated my apartment. I’m at work getting ready to clock in and the peace of Jesus is still here.

Day 3

Depart from evil, and do good;
seek peace, and pursue it.
Psalm 34.14, NRSV

For the 2nd day in a row, God has visited me with peace in my quiet time before work. It is nothing short of a visitation. Today, this Scripture came to mind.

Day 4

‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Matthew 5.9, NRSV

I’m sensing the peace of God in a different way today. It is active. I’ve been part of a couple conversations that made room for the peace of God. I followed the Lord’s leading.

Day 5

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14.27, KJV

I’m sitting in the break room before work. I have a lot I could be afraid of. I’m making some changes… but peace

Day 6

Oh that you had paid attention to my commandments!
Then your peace would have been like a river,
and your righteousness like the waves of the sea;
Isaiah 48.18, ESV

“When peace like a river attended my way…”

The words from “It Is Well” came back to me last night.

Day 7

“For you shall go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and the hills before you
shall break forth into singing,
and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.
Isaiah 55.12, ESV

Peace for what I’m going to do floods my thoughts today!

is peace subjective for you?

With no one else around, in the stillness of your own time, do you have peace?

It’s been a long time since I felt peace for such a long time. I know that God is making Himself very real to me in this season. There have even been people at work that comment about the calmness that they see in me.

What do others see in you?

Perhaps you are like me and see peace through the lens of the Hebrew phenomenon called shalom. Perhaps peace is a community peace and you leave little room for subjective experience. Maybe you have done like I have and even argued that the New Testament Church would understand peace in terms of shalom rather than the way we understand peace today.

But does shalom mean that peace cannot be subjective as well?