And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful (Colossians 3:15).

The state of the world around us is anything but peaceful.  From the recent terror attack in New York City to the mass shootings in Las Vegas and Texas we are reminded that all is not well on planet earth.  But while much of the society around us seems to be in disarray we can experience peace in our hearts.  And while all is not well in the world in which we live, we can still sing, “It is well with my soul.”  We can and must let the peace of God rule in our hearts even when unpleasant circumstances might otherwise rob us of the serenity that comes from trusting the Lord.  “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3).

This verse in Colossians urges us to experience the peace of God, and also to pursue peace with one another.  We were called to peace in the body of Christ.  And as members of this one body, we must demonstrate the unity this oneness produces.  We can preserve and strengthen this unity as we humbly pursue peace with one another.  Paul wrote in another place, “Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).