From Disorder to Peace

Two-year-old Alex stood in the middle of a pile of toys and colouring books that he had just thrown to the floor. Earlier, he had hit another two-year-old boy. As one of the volunteers who work with toddlers in our church crèche, I regularly encounter moments of chaos. This time, for the sake of the other children, I knew that I needed to restore order as quickly as possible. I decided to sit on the floor and talk with Alex. After he had calmed down, I explained why hitting other children and throwing toys were not good choices. When we had finished talking, Alex decided to help me pick up the toys and books. With a little encouragement, he also walked over to the boy he had hit and gave him a hug.

We all encounter days when our communities seem chaotic and divided, but today’s reading tells us that ours is not a God of disorder. Instead, God wants us to enjoy lives filled with order, peace and love. When we accept God’s standard and conduct ourselves in fitting and orderly ways—whether in worship, in our jobs or at home—we honour God and reflect his character.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us to conduct ourselves in ways that draw people to you. Amen