Life and Peace
My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, Malachi 2:5 NIV
I have always sought life and peace. I have assumed that the goal of self-actualization was innate. I hurry myself to accomplish more because of this. But maybe I don’t even clearly understand what life is. Is existence the antithesis of death? Does a meaningful life never involve pain and suffering? I don't think so. Sadness, annoyance, anguish, sin, shame, guilt, and death are all part of life. Why are these bad feelings we have to endure? Why does God grant us these grueling lives? I believe that God and I have different perspectives on life. I frequently forget what life's purpose is because of that.
Life is a burden, so there isn't enough gratitude. No dopamine rush equals no appreciation. What I want is immediate gratification and painlessness. I have intense desires, but I'm not sure what I ultimately want. We want something, but we instinctively avoid it in some ways. For instance, we aim to be in good health, which is why we strive for exercise and nutritious meals, but setting out with exercise and a healthy diet can be challenging. There are many simple and appealing ways to enjoy less healthy food and more engaging activities instead of exercising. We have provisions for the end of the year and the start of the new year. But life is easier said than done. Our desires and needs are not always the same. We really want to accomplish it, and unpleasantly, we have difficulty taking a step to achieve it. That's why we can't provide definite answers about the type of life we want to pursue. I believe that God recognizes our desires and necessities, even if we are uncertain about them. We have unclear directions and are unsure if they are the most worthwhile or not. That's why it can be terrifying to make decisions in specific ways.
Maslow's hierarchy of needs indicates our desire to contribute what we have. But I believe we can feel like victims when we serve others without getting paid. We want to achieve our full potential, but we're tired of learning specific skills, and getting started on our goals can be difficult. I think self-actualization and transcendence are connected to each other. We want to improve the things we like and are good at. And we want to help people with the things we enjoy and are skilled at. If we help others without any enjoyment, it won't last long.
I believe that everyone eventually seeks life and peace. I have to think about what a life is. Does it simply mean that a single living thing exists? It may be factual. But in my perspective, life is much more profound. Why does Jesus call for us to love and serve others? I want to live a happy, peaceful life. But happiness is more complicated than that when it comes to definitions. I think happiness can be fragile if there is no life. I believe Jesus is life, the way, and the truth.
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6 NIV
Pain is a part of life. It is difficult to feel at ease. Even though life is beautiful, suffering is all around us. Daily hearing of tragic events occurring worldwide, illnesses, demises, setbacks, bewilderments, anxieties, fears, and daily struggles against our resistance. Being at peace is difficult for these reasons. How can we live in peace? I was naturally susceptible to being overtaken by negativity. I must voluntarily think of the things for which I am grateful, and should fully feel that gratitude multiple times.
True instruction was in his mouth, and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness and turned many from sin. Malachi 2:6 NIV
And what about my instructions? Do they prevent many from sinning? Do they ruin a lot of things? Do I behave uprightly and peacefully alongside him? I believe that there can be no peace without uprightness. All I want is peace. To me, being at peace is doing nothing. Everything is peaceful, stress-free, exciting, joyful, laid-back, eating a lot, having financial freedom, traveling wherever I want to go, having the means to do whatever I want to do, keeping up with the newest fashion trends, being in the best health possible, not having arguments, not being tired, free from illness, sorrow, deaths, or tragedies, and so on. But God is pointing to uprightness and peace. Walking in peace and dignity alongside him. I believe that he is knowledgeable about every subject I am learning. Furthermore, he is aware of my hopes, plans, and thoughts. He seems to want to accompany him on my journey. I believe that walking in peace and uprightness with God has the power to turn many away from sin. The absence of sorrow, tears, or tragedies does not equate to peace. Despite walking in peace with him, I continue to live a life with tragedies. The implication is that I can share my grief in close communion with God. I know that God always listens to me when I talk to him about how great my sorrow is. That's my integrity and peacefulness. What in my life is more valuable if that leads many people away from sin?
