The process of becoming whole in body mind and spirit is the work of a lifetime. When we do or say things that are inconsistent with who we at our core, that sense of wholeness or that feeling of completeness is damaged and we feel broken and fragmented. If there is something going on our lives that just doesn’t belong such as a relationship or a bad habit, some part of us that is inconsistent with the whole, I believe that we can feel the incongruity. The pieces that do not fit are like a free-radicals in our blood stream that our immune system is fighting against. If we learn to listen to our bodies, I believe that they can tell us all kinds of things about ourselves. The tight muscles in our neck or the tension we may feel in our guts is our body talking to us. When the pieces that do not belong are removed or altered we begin to move toward a greater sense of wholeness. If we were completely at peace within ourselves all the different parts and pieces would fit together like a puzzle and form a complete picture of our true self, and we would feel whole, complete and integrated.
The word translated peace in the Old Testament comes from the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom is a complete peace. Shalom means to be complete, perfect and full. Shalom is a feeling of contentment, wholeness, well being and harmony. Shalom also carries with it the meaning of health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity and rest.
The priestly benediction from (Numb. 6:24-26) reads:
“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
I think this experience of shalom, of being whole and complete and at peace within ourselves, goes beyond what we can do for ourselves, and is in fact a gift.
In the New Testament (John 14:27) Jesus gives this benediction of peace to his disciples. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
What is interesting about Jesus was that there was a complete sense of peace about him even when he was in the midst of turmoil and conflict. It was his inner peace that defined him more than anything else. I think this is what it means to be whole.
The word translated peace in the Old Testament comes from the Hebrew word shalom. Shalom is a complete peace. Shalom means to be complete, perfect and full. Shalom is a feeling of contentment, wholeness, well being and harmony. Shalom also carries with it the meaning of health, welfare, safety, soundness, tranquility, prosperity and rest.
The priestly benediction from (Numb. 6:24-26) reads:
“The LORD bless you
and keep you;
the LORD make his face shine on you
and be gracious to you;
the LORD turn his face toward you
and give you peace.”
I think this experience of shalom, of being whole and complete and at peace within ourselves, goes beyond what we can do for ourselves, and is in fact a gift.
In the New Testament (John 14:27) Jesus gives this benediction of peace to his disciples. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
What is interesting about Jesus was that there was a complete sense of peace about him even when he was in the midst of turmoil and conflict. It was his inner peace that defined him more than anything else. I think this is what it means to be whole.
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