Giving Peace a Chance

On May 31, 1969, Beatles band member John Lennon and his wife Yoko Ono began staying "in bed" for several days in front of a world stage of press and media. The "Bed-In" in Room 1742 at the Elizabeth Hotel in Montreal, Canada, became an icon of 1960's non-violent protesting for world peace.

When asked by a reporter why they were staging such an event, John Lennon calmly replied, "All we are saying is give peace a chance." Lennon liked the phrase so much, days later it became a lyric heard worldwide as he and several artists recorded the song from that very room on a rented 8-track recording machine. For those hip to music trivia, you might be amused that Tommy Smothers (of the Smothers Brothers TV Show fame) played acoustic guitar along with Lennon on the recording.

Here we are, nearly 40 years later and from my perspective the world is no closer to "world peace" than we were then. Did the "Bed-In" and the recording have no effect at all? The song can still be heard on "oldies" radio occasionally and sounds as good (subjectively) and relevant as it did when it was recorded. If we are no closer to peace as a world community, perhaps the issue is in our understanding of "peace" and not the music we produce.

The Bible references peace in a broader sense and with much deeper meaning than our common usage. Our tendency is to define peace in limited terms. We consider "peace" to be existence "without conflict." But the concept of peace appearing in Scripture is much deeper and more profound.

The Hebrew concept of "peace" (shalom) refers more to a state of well-being, wholeness and harmony involving all of a person's relationships rather than merely personal peace in my own personal space. Biblical peace is, in essence, having "peace on every side" in the community in which an individual exists. To have "peace" only within one's personal space or psyche isn't really "peace" as Scripture sees it. Instead, Scripture speaks of peace more as a "way of life" (see Is. 59:8; Lk. 1:79; Rom. 3:17).

God establishes peace and is the sustaining Force behind peace for all creatures. One of the effects of being in relationship with God is that He purifies us from all sin. Within that purification comes the ability (and willingness) to live "at peace." "May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body, be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it" (1 Thes. 5:23-24). Also consider what Jesus had to say about "Peacemakers" and what becomes of them (Matt. 5:9).

It stands to reason that when we submit to the cleansing of God, we find the ability to "give peace a chance." God is the sustaining power of peace. He first reconciles us to Himself which brings us peace with Him. We then translate that peace afforded by His grace into a peace that becomes substantially authentic with our neighbor. The result moves us much closer to "shalom" for all people (world peace).

We can talk (or sing) about peace all day long, but eventually something must be done about it. Rather than merely singing, "give peace a chance," perhaps someone ought to write a new lyric... "all we are saying, is give God a chance" and then do something about pursuing Him.

Do you have a line to add? I'm thinking about going back to bed... calling the papers and news channels... we're looking to launch a new campaign for peace. But before I do that, I'm going to keep looking for God because I think He has something to say about it all.

Peace, out.