Nebraska Synod ELCA

by Pastor Greg Berger, Assistant to the Bishop

Bishop Johnson, in his article this month asked who you considered persons of peace in your life. Do you have persons of peace in your life? Are you a person of peace? We can cultivate a presence of peace within ourselves, for ourselves, and for others. Being a person of peace and cultivating peace is a core value for me. I strive to be a person of peace and offer peace to those around me.

It begins with an understanding of what is meant when we talk of peace. I think we all know peace is not just the absence of conflict or violence, turmoil, or hardship. I like Dallas Willard’s definition of peace: It is the way things ought to be. So there is always a sense of striving toward peace – that’s the cultivating part. As good Lutherans we live in the paradox – the already, but not yet. We experience peace, even when there is no peace. Peace, is love. It is justice. It is living out the reign of God. Today. Tomorrow. Everyday. Here on earth as it is in heaven. It is sleeping in the storm (Matthew 8:24)

A seminary professor encouraged us students throughout our ministry to listen to country western music and rap. Those are the story tellers, he said. That is where you will find the cultural working theology and world view that makes sense to the ordinary. One such contemporary American philosopher and country singer, is Jelly Roll. He sings,

I am not okay
I’m barely getting by
I’m losing track of days
And losing sleep at night
I am not okay
I’m hanging on the rails
So if I say I’m fine
Just know I learned to hide it well

I know I can’t be the only one
Who’s holding on for dear life
But God knows, I know
When it’s all said and done
I’m not okay
But it’s all gonna be alright

I get that. But from my Lutheran framework, I want to edit Jelly Roll’s declaration slightly, but significantly: “I’m not okay but it is alright.” Now please don’t hear this as minimizing what is not okay in your life or others. The reality and emotions of “not-peace” are genuine and can be devastating.

I just want to remind us that cultivating Peace is about being able to live in the not yet, but already. Living with no peace, in injustice, lovelessness, with hate and harm AND with deep peace gifted us by the Prince of Peace. “Peace be with you” (John 20:19) isn’t just Jesus wishing us well. It is an authentic gift of all-rightness even in fear. It’s not okay, but it is alright.

Can you live there? That’s where the cultivating comes in. It helps to see the big picture, to be able to step back from whatever chaos is around us an remember, know, and receive the Peace of Christ. That can reset our anxiety alarms. The closer we live to the source of peace, the less we are afraid and the more courageous we can be. The more time we spend in prayer, meditation, and seeking spiritual guidance, the more ready we are to reenter the fray of the world to be peacemakers where there is hatred, injustice and violence. And the more able we are to be persons of peace.

It’s not okay, but it is alright.

Peace be with you!

Pr. Greg grew up in Southeast Nebraska, farming with his Dad for ten years before heading to seminary. Greg earned a Bachelors in Social Science at Peru State College and his Master of Divinity at Gettysburg. Greg and his wife, Kim live in Omaha and have two sons, two daughters-in-law and three beautiful granddaughters.