'Peace, Be Still' - A Theological Reflection On Peace

By Sydney Barson

When I grew up, I was told that fighting was the solution for most disputes among young people in the rural areas.

 _Nzakubetha/ndinokurova_ (I'm going to hit you) was the quick response, used in the way the cowboys draw their guns in movies.

Many of my peers who grew up in rural Zimbabwe tell me with pride that they are tough because they fought and endured violent hardships.

Sometimes they suggest that one is not 'man enough'  if one does not  know how to kill a chicken or cow, handle a fist - fight, endure the sjambok.

Many brag about their fighting prowess.

Those who grew up in the city are proud of being 'streetwise', I assure you that being 'streetwise' here means being familiar with violence.

There were unwritten tensions between residents of different townships.

Walking with ease from Zengeza to Huruyadzo Shops in St Mary's was no easy task, so was walking along in Mbare called for great courage as one would be intimidated, beaten or even robbed.

Normal discipline in most families is effected in some form of violence. There is always an _Uswazi_ (shamhu) by the mother's corner in the house.

The father's belt has had another use, that of disciplining errant children and at times the mother too.

Male members of our society resolve to beat up women who wear mini - skirts or trousers in public. 

Rape has been used against girls and women.

It is very normal to see ordinary arguments in the pubs and beer halls being resolved in fist - fights.

We all know some men who always have an okapi knife in their pockets in anticipation of a fight.

There are some in this day and age who always have a *rekeni*  in their pockets as emergency preparedness should they pick a fight.

Violence was a normal strategy for settling disputes in sports. It was  not out of the ordinary for a referee to be beaten up by the players and supporters of a losing team. Players fought on the pitch, supporters fought on the terraces.

We see divisions on tribal and regional lines, may God help us deconstruct these ethnical tirades we pelt on each other daily, amasvina, mukorekore, mubhurandaya, mumoskeni, muchawa etc.

May this analysis of social violence help us  develop peace plans, change mindsets and begin to love each other as people with dignity.

As the world commemorates International Day of Peace today, it is important to revisit the scriptures and four critical issues come out;

*1). We Must Commit to Peace* 

Daniel 6:25 - "Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you."

*2). We Must Value Truth, Justice and Peace* 

Zechariah 8:16 - "These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates."

*3). We Must Build A Community of Peacemakers* 

Matthew 5:9 - "Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God."

*4). Churches Must Be the Example of Peace* 

1 Corinthians 14:33 - "For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saints."

 *Conclusion*

We must admit that we accepted violence as part of our culture and therefore we must 

 _"Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it."_ - Psalms 34:14

May we close with the words from the Zimbabwe We Want, a document by the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference and Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, 2006.

"May God the Almighty bless the nation of Zimbabwe and grant it the faith, the vision and courage to build a Zimbabwe that is tolerant, peaceful, prosperous and God fearing."

 *Amen*