“Being an agnostic, I don’t think that we can really know anything about God, or even if he is there. As long as everyone learns to live in harmony and peace with each other, that’s the most important thing.” As I thought about his words, I was surprised to find that I did not completely disagree with my visitor. After our conversation had concluded, I began to chew over his words and obvious passion. He really longed for peace and harmony in the world. In many ways, we were not very dissimilar, we both longed for the same thing.
Yet, the path to achieving this goal could not be more different. For the past 200 years or so, the modern world has sought to create such peace and harmony. Ironically, many have observed that the last 100 years have been some of the most violent and bloody in the history of the world. Twice, the entire world has been at war. We have created and perfected weapons with the potential to obliterate an entire population within moments. Words such as “holocaust” and “abortion” have been created to identify the mass murder of human life. Interestingly, in both instances we continue to find ways to dismiss the severity of these events, with our language and selective memories. Surely, if this is the best that humanity has to offer, we have a big problem. But why? Why can't we solve the world’s ills with just a little more education, time, and resources? Should we not just wait a little longer? Perhaps the answer is just waiting around the corner…I think not. I am skeptical that the kind of peace that my conversation partner and I are seeking can be achieved from within this world. All of the education, time, and resources that humanity has to offer, will never quench the thirst of a world parched for peace and wholeness.
We live in a broken world, with broken people. I am reminded of the story of a man at sea whose boat had sprung a leak. Unfortunately, the adventurous sailor could not swim. Making matters worse, he did not own a life raft or any other flotation device. For hours he cried for help and finally he spotted a boat on the horizon. When the approaching vessel came within earshot, a voice called out “I can help you, come aboard.” Eyeing the gaping hole in his boat, the man looked to his rescuer and shouted, “Is your boat water-tight?” The voice cried back, “No, we’ve got a small leak too”. Astonished, the a second question quickly followed, “Well, can you swim?”. The rejoinder came, “No, never learned.” Finally, in exasperation the man yelled, “Do you at least have a life vest or something?” The unconventional rescuer responded “No, no I guess I don’t”. “Well”, cried the sinking man, “I’m not jumping aboard, it seems that we are in the same boat. You can’t help me, you need help too.” In a strange turn of events both men began bawling for help. After a few hours a whistle shrieked over the water, followed by a bull horn. “Good evening gentlemen, this is the Coast Guard, climb aboard we can help you.” Not willing to take anything for granted, the sinking man responded “Is you boat watertight”? The man on the bull horn returned, “Absolutely.” The man continued, “Well, can you swim?” “Yes”, came the voice from the bull horn. Finally, the man ask “Okay, do you have a life vest?” “Yes,” came the voice from the bull horn, and with an increasingly demanding tone he added, “now would you please climb aboard.” The man responded, “gladly”. What was the difference? The man needed help from someone who was “not in the same boat” as he was.
God’s original plan for humanity was that we should know the fullness of His peace. Sin skewed the plan and distorted this peace. Humanity, unaided by God neither possesses this peace, nor can offer it to others or the world. We need someone from another boat to dive into the raging swell and bring us to safety. We need Jesus and the peace that he offers.
I was watching an episode of Mythbusters where the guys were testing the myth of whether we really landed on the moon. I was surprised to find that 20% of the American population still believes that we did not, and that some kind of photo alternation or special effects were involved. Of course, we landed on the moon. What caught my attention was a particular myth in which the guys needed to replicate the dust on the surface of the moon. I begin to ponder the question “What does moon dust feel like?” Apparently, NASA possesses a sample of actual moon dust — which I doubt the general population can experience — and a special created brand generated from earthen material that contains the same basic elements. Still, if I wanted to know what moon dust felt like, not even a personal interview with Neil Armstrong would be satisfying. Neil could give me his first hand account, but if a personal knowledge is to be embodied, I must have an out-of-this-world experience.
There is only one way to know the peace of Jesus, we must experience it for ourselves. Unlike second hand smoke or a good inheritance, the peace of Jesus neither transfers nor is passed down from father to son or mother to daughter. Thankfully, Jesus has not merely offered humanity a generic or general peace, but his very peace. Thus, we find great comfort and joy in His words “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” Praise be to God for the peace, His very peace, which he offers to all who receive Him. I believe there is hope for this world, and it can be found upon this earth. However, He comes from another realm and has manifested Himself in His followers. Can we know about God, or if He even exits? A resounding yes! In fact we must know Him, He is our one and only hope.
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