Throughout our lives we absorb stories about God, about ourselves, and about the world. Lent invites us to gently lay some of these stories down. In each post in this Lenten series, Pastor Nate will name one belief that may no longer be serving our faith and explore how Christ reshapes it.

Many of us have been taught that peace is simply the absence of tension. Keep things calm; don’t rock the boat; avoid having difficult conversations. On the surface, that can look like harmony. But there is a fine line between maintaining harmony and the destructive silence that leaves wounds unspoken and injustices untouched.

Jesus shows us a different kind of peace. In the Gospels, he speaks words that challenge leaders, disrupt systems, and call people toward repentance and new life. At one point he even clears the temple, refusing to let sacred space be turned into exploitation. His actions remind us that real peace is not built on avoidance, but on truth.

The peace Christ offers is deeper than comfort. It is the peace that comes when relationships are made honest again, when broken things are brought into the light, and when love is strong enough to face what is difficult.  It takes vulnerability and courage, and it is not always easy to know when to keep the peace and when to speak up, but that’s where prayer, discernment and grace for oneself come in. 

Lent invites us to notice where we have confused quiet with peace and to pray for forgiveness, courage, and discernment moving forward.

Reflection question:
Where might you be settling for quiet when God may be inviting you toward deeper, truer peace?