Shalom

Did anyone ever sing that song at school that goes:

Shalom, shalom

May peace be with you

Throughout your days

In all that you do

May peace be with you

Shalom, shalom

It's got a great, funky Jewish feel that makes you want to grow a beard, light nine candles and watch Fiddler on the Roof. It was one of my favourites in primary school because we always sang it in a round, which has the potential to be a hilarious disaster with 7-year-olds. 

So, from a young age, I've always known of the word 'Shalom', but it's only been in the last few years that I've really understood the concept. And it's so much more than peace. Shalom means completeness, soundness, welfare, as well as peace (Strong’s Concordance.) Completeness. That word makes me sigh a little bit. I want it so badly. Who doesn’t? To be living completely in the will of God with complete purpose. Completely whole, completely free, completely satisfied, completely loving, completely loved, completely happy, completely fulfilled, completely complete!

I've had moments. Moments when I've seen glimpses of it, moments that I haven't wanted to move from, when I haven't wanted anything to change. Watching sunsets at Jericho's Walls near my South African home, laughing in a tent on a cold New Year's Eve with some great friends, spending an afternoon writing and not even noticing the time go by, eating pancakes with all my South African friends, saying the right words when I don't even know how they got in my mouth. Those moments give me glimpses of wholeness. 

But even in those moments, I'm so aware that there is so much more. Which makes me think that Shalom isn't something that can be achieved on earth. Maybe not. Maybe not till Heaven. But that doesn't mean I'm going to stop looking for it, asking for it, wishing it for the people I love. So...

Shalom! (and sorry for getting the song stuck in your head)