By Melanie J. Knox, Opinion Editor

As I Wish

During Sing Song week, I wrote an anti-war column. But I have always been pro-Bush and pro-American, and so my stance has changed.

We have been at war with Iraq for less than a day, and I already find it hard to remember what peace felt like. There is so much turmoil and chaos now, and there will only be more in the days to come.

So in times like these, when the world falls apart, we have one place to turn: the word of God, which remains eternally unchanged.

Peace.

In the Old Testament, peace is seen in three ways. It is contrasted with war as an end to hostility, it conveys an idea of dying peacefully, and it completes a final justice that points to the future.

All of these are relevant, and my favorite is the last one. Isaiah 9:6-7 says, “For a child will be born to us, a son will be given to us, and the government will rest on his shoulders. And his name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be no end to his government or of peace.”

What a beautiful comfort that is! We serve a God and are children in a nation where peace is eternal.

Imagine a place where peace never ends.

In Philippians, Paul writes to his baby church, “Be anxious for nothing, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, present your requests before God with thanksgiving, and the peace of God which transcends all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.”

We are promised that peace. Although our nation is at war, we are called to have peace within ourselves to be our guard. This peace is from the one we call the Prince of Peace, whose reign will never end. May God bless our troops, journalists, public affairs officials and all those who serve. And may He grant us all a swift peace, both within our hearts and between nations.