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Hymn Reflection:
“Peace upon earth be restored”
What could possibly be a bigger dream, wish, hope, and prayer than for “peace upon earth be restored”? It feels impossible, almost ridiculous. Peace on earth? Nations war with nations. Politicians seem to be in a constant state of discord. Communities are filled with hate and prejudice. Churches divide over doctrine. Even in our own families, we struggle to get along with one another. In fact, when I pray these words, as much as I long for peace on earth, I admit it’s hard to believe the day will ever come. And yet when I read the words of this hymn, I find Charles Wesley offering assurance that Jesus has already come to restore peace: “O Jesus, exalted on high, . . . [who] Didst stoop to redeem a lost race: / Once more to thy creatures return, / And reign in thy kingdom of grace.”1
In practical terms, what is Wesley talking about? As you continue reading his lyrics, you are seized by his conviction that, when Christ appeared in the flesh, the world became united with the Prince of Peace: “No horrid [alarm] of war . . . No sound of the trumpet is there / Where Jesus’ spirit o’erflows.”
Perhaps Wesley is suggesting that peace isn’t a faraway dream, and in fact, that we can experience it every day. Rather than waiting for the world to be peaceful, we have a more active task of embracing the quiet and peaceable reign of Jesus in our own hearts. When we turn over our angers, disappointments, and frustrations to God, then God is there to give us peace. This is the peace that surpasses our understanding (Philippians 4:7), a peace that actually might begin to change the world one person at a time.
This lesson hit home to me years ago when a dear friend told me about her work as a weekend counselor at a Christian retreat center. I somewhat naively asked her how she could possibly help someone in need in only one weekend. She had a ready answer: “Because every problem, every hurt, every broken relationship ultimately requires the same spiritual discipline.” Well, I had to hear this one! “What is it?” I asked. She replied with total confidence: “Let go and let God. As simple as it sounds, that is what is needed. That is when the peace comes.”
At first I had to stifle a laugh. Of course I’d heard that expression all my life. But her seriousness told me she embraced this familiar mantra as a moment-to-moment practice. It has since become my practice, as well. When I surrender to God, I’m not giving up on the battles and challenges in my daily life. Instead, I am embracing the truth that God is in control. When I do, my situation may not change, but I change internally. I find what I am seeking the most: peace.
During this Advent season, I pray that we lay down our swords, both our external weapons of words and deeds that hurt others and our internal weapons of resentments, anger, hatred, and prejudices. And then I pray that we trust God. Surely this is the path to peace for all the Earth.
Susan Fuquay
1Charles Wesley, “All Glory to God in the Sky,” Hymnary.org, accessed July 16, 2019, https://hymnary.org/text/all_glory_to_god_in_the_sky.