New York: Friday

John 14 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Today we had an interesting conversation with a gentleman at a tailor's shop. We asked him what he liked about New York and why he came from Senegal. His answer was a little bit different than what others have told us this week. He said that what he has loved about being in the states is that he has finally found peace. Peace, from knowing that he has a safe and productive job, a safe place to live and reside, days free from danger and conflict.

What most interested me about his answer is that, at least from what I've heard, peace is not a common interest or hope for Muslims. It's not that they are actively seeking conflict, at least not the West African ones, but their emphasized values are more on seeking honor and avoiding shame for themselves and their families. Hindus and Buddhists are on a search for peace and rebuke the American lifestyle for not finding it. Yet, for this tailor and probably under the surface for many West Africans, there is a desperate search for some final peace.

Isn't that true for the rest of us, too? Daily we are always encountering conflict, something that stresses us out and worries us, and our heart longs for some inner peace, a knowledge and comfort that our conflict will be relieved.

This is the message Jesus has given to the disciples, that when he left the world and they felt that all was wrong in the world, Christ's peace would still be with them. And not just some ethereal emotion, but the tangible presence of the Spirit of God would be upon them and in them. And that is the gospel we proclaim to the nations: that though they say they have found peace through financial and political stability, a deeper and fuller peace is known through reconciliation with the God who created and rules the universe by means of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and manifested in the giving of the Holy Spirit to all who would put their trust in Jesus' work.

Friday is our final workday in Harlem. Pray that we make plain the peace of Christ that is supreme over all other copies and shadows of peace and comfort found in this world.