I was driving the other day, and the word “peace” just popped into my head. Almost immediately it expanded to the phrase “an instrument of peace.” I hadn’t thought of the poem below from St. Francis of Assisi in years, but suddenly there it was in my head. Well, only the first three lines were in my head, but still I knew “instrument of peace” was my word phrase for 2020.
Our world is in pain. Everyone (including me) is screaming at someone else or, at the very least, silently (or snarkily) judging them. We assume the worst of others, misinterpreting their words, misrepresenting their opinions, and arguing from the extremes.
In 2020 I want to focus instead on sowing love, pardon, faith, hope, light, and joy.
I want to combat hatred by loving the hated and the hater. It will be hard. But it is God’s power that can accomplish this.
I want to be not so easily offended, to not so readily strike back. I want to offer pardon as God’s instrument of peace.
Doubt affects us all. I desire to hold faith to support others when theirs is weak. I want God to increase my own faith when mine weakens and ask him to send the faith-full my way in those moments.
Darkness and sadness make life hard to survive, days hard to live. I want to be a purveyor of light and joy, sprinkling them liberally into the lives and hearts of others everywhere I go, like a pixie for God.
I’m excited about the possibility of living as an instrument of God’s peace in 2020.
Feel free to join me.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
—Jesus (Matthew 5:9)
Carol, PEACE was my word for 2019. I only wish I would have thought of St Francis of Assisi’s words to enhance my experience!! I applaud you for this word and the meaning you’ve attacked to it and I thank you for sharing it!! I just may keep it as my 2020 word too!
Merry Christmas my Friend!
Thank you, Eileen! It’s cool that PEACE was your word too! You have certainly lived it this year!
Have a wonderful Christmas!