Pursue Peace

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.”

Hebrew 12:14

The idea of a ‘pursuit’ often settles in a woman’s heart like a fairytale. This concept seems to bond with the memories of a little girl pretending to be a princess who is awaiting her prince.  As she is twirling around in a beautiful dress, she is waiting for her prince to pursue her, to fight the treacherous dragons, and to rescue her from her tower of solitude and, of course, live happily ever after.

The fairy tale dream may differ for each woman, but the ending always seems to be the same. She desires to be pursued, to be loved and to have peaceful relationships. But, at some point along the way, reality sets in and life seems to take a different course. Peace and love don’t seem to come as easily or as naturally as the little girl in her has so desperately hoped for. Relationships come and go and her life seems to be marked more by heartache and conflict than by love and peace. 

The older I get the more I am aware of my own depravity and the more I encounter the depravity of mankind. Relationships united by love and peace are a rare commodity. I imagine the writer of Hebrews knew this and that’s why he implores us to ‘pursue peace with all people.’ As women, we want to be pursued. We want to be desired. The writer knew that we would need more than what earthly relationships can offer. We are reminded that relationships will not be easy and that is why the writer continued and said, “pursue…holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” God is holy and by pursuing his holiness, we will be pursuing his heart. I find it interesting that the writer of Hebrews associates our relationship with God to our relationship with others. The depth of our relationship with the Lord will directly reflect the depth of our relationship with others.

Only when we begin to learn and delight in the heart of God will we be able to discern those things which He desires and pursues. We will learn that our lives are to reflect his heart and we are to pursue peace with all people because the God we serve is the God of all Peace. So, whether single or married may we not forsake our call to pursue the heart of God and reflect his peace to the world.