Some people choose a
scripture verse or one key word as a focus for the coming year. That’s my tribe. My word for 2020 is “shalom”.
Shalom is what I’ll be sharing over the next twelve
months. I’ll write about shalom, speak about it, and embody it. I’ve written it
on the first page of my 2020 journal. More significantly, I’ve embedded in the
fabric of my soul.
Shalom is rich in meaning, deep in effect and broad
in application. You can’t go wrong in applying “shalom” to your life.
Shalom is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness,
completeness, prosperity, welfare, and tranquility.
In Israel, I discovered it is used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye.
Shalom experienced
is multidimensional, complete well-being — physical, psychological, social, and
spiritual; it flows from all of one’s relationships being put right — with God,
within oneself, and with others.
I told you shalom is a
rich word.
The Hebraic greeting, “Shalom alechem” means “may you be well”.
Shalom binds
all of life together. Isaac Arama, a Jewish philosopher in the 15th
century, paraphrased this idea by saying:
“Peace
is a positive thing, the essential means by which men of differing temperaments
and opinions can work together for the common good. Pearls of individual virtue
would be dim in isolation were it not for the string of peace that binds them
together and so increases their lustre. That is why peace is a name of God for
it is He who gives unity to the whole of creation.”
Where does shalom come
from? How can I get shalom?
God creates shalom. Receive
shalom as a gift from God. Jesus said, “I give you peace (shalom).” (John 14:7)
The gospel of Jesus is the “gospel of peace.” (Ephesians 6:15) Jesus is the
prince of shalom. (Isaiah 9:6) When you have Jesus, you have shalom. Live in shalom’s richness by surrendering to and
obeying Jesus. When you trust and obey Jesus you have shalom.
2020 will find me ramping up efforts in reducing the stigma and
raising awareness around mental health. On Wednesday January 29th
I’ll be co-hosting the Bell Let’s Talk Day in Edmonton with Vahen King of
“Going Farther”. We are going to promote
shalom. The event relies heavily on community, conversation and engagement. If
you’re in the Edmonton area please plan to attend. Purchase tickets here.
To have shalom is to know
you’re going to be OK.
My wish for you in 2020 is Shalom
alechem.
I am a recovering perfectionist who collects Coca-Cola memorabilia and
drinks iced tea. The walls of our home are adorned with our sons’ framed football jerseys,
and my bookshelves, with soul food.
My writing grows hope, inspires people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.
My writing grows hope, inspires people to be real, forge an authentic faith in Jesus, and discover their life purpose.
Follow my writing and book reviews at REVwords.com
Thank you for this! It is so easy to believe that we interact with others from a centre of caring, when in fact we ourselves might struggle with a sense of peace or shalom. I accept your challenge to identify with the shalom given to me from Jesus and to engage, connect and relate to others with it! To begin each day with the question , "how will I show shalom to others?" I thank you again for this grounding of shalom.
ReplyDeleteGreat question to ask each day. How is going for you, Denise?
DeleteWhat a wonderful and meaningful word for the year. Shalom to you Bob!
ReplyDeleteEirene is the koine greek word for "peace." My mom's name was "Irene." Sometimes people are like their names. My mom was. She brought peace/shalom to our home.
DeleteMay Jan 29th event be a blessing to many. I look forward to diving deeper into the meaning of Shalom!
ReplyDeleteThank you Lynn. Jan. 29th WAS a blessing. We had SO much positive feedback. As leaders and organizers we all left feeling exhausted and affirmed. Stigma was lessened. Hope raised.
DeleteI love this, Bob. Thank you! A great word choice for 2020.
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan. Words matter. Thank you for sharing your affirmation.
DeleteThanks for your Shalom for yourselves and for us, Bob. I love your image with Shalom as the "overflowing of God's abundance" individually and in community. God bless you as you promote Shalom on the 29th.
ReplyDeleteHi Sandi. My prayer for you today - January 30th is you would feel the overflow in your life. Whatever you are facing, there would be a timely infusion of mercy, grace and joy.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your prayers and Shalom for me, Bob. Glad your seminar yesterday was such a blessing to many!
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