Image credit: www.motherteresa.org
“Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.” 2 Corinthians 13:11 (ESV)
“What Peace Means to Me” by Nichole, Age 14
When I hear the word peace, the first thing I think about is world peace. In school, we were asked to write about a famous person we admired. I picked Mother Teresa. Mother Teresa was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979. The prize was given to her “for work undertaken in the struggle to overcome poverty and distress, which also constitute a threat to peace.” Nobel Prize winners are given $6000, but Mother Teresa gave the money away to help the poor people of Calcutta.
With so much happening in the world today – all the fighting and weapons and anger between countries – I wonder if world peace will ever happen during my lifetime. However, reading about Mother Teresa did inspire me to do what I could to make a difference in the world.
I can try to live in peace and harmony with my friends and family.
Her story made me realize that one person can have an effect on others. I can work at being more agreeable, doing the right thing, and volunteering to help others. You never know; my example of living in peace just might motivate someone else to make a difference, too!
Conversation Starters
- What comes to mind when someone mentions the word peace?
- Mother Teresa motivated Nicole to be agreeable, to do the right thing, and to volunteer in helping others. What things can you do to make a peaceful difference while at home or at school, with your family or friends?
- Based on 2 Corinthians 13:11, what step should you take to welcome God’s peace in your life?
An Adult Perspective
My life will not have the worldwide impact of Mother Teresa’s, but I can use her loving example as motivation to touch the lives of those around me, beginning with my family and friends. The verse in 2nd Corinthians gives me a good starting point: “Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace.”
Peace can start with me. Peace can start with you.
And peace begins in the home. If we continue to fill our homes with encouragement, acceptance, and peace; our children will grow-up learning confidence, experiencing love, and gaining insight into the world as a peaceful place to live. This is a tall order, but the bible gives us a quick how-to verse in Philippians 4:9: “Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.” (NIV) If we pattern our words and actions after Christ, the God of peace will be with us.
Mother Teresa is remembered as one of the great servants of humanity, a missionary who spread the love of Christ through her words and actions. Strive to leave your own personal legacy of peace; a legacy representing the love of Christ in your life.
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Romans 12:18
