June 2025

Letter from the Committee

Peace

What seems like every day, headlines are filled with news of fresh outbursts of conflict and growing strife, both domestically and around the world. We are confronted with mounting unrest and insecurity, and as we see chaos gaining momentum, we ask, “Who is driving this crazy train?”

The answer is simple at its core: human nature. When sin entered the world, we lost peace with God, peace within ourselves, and peace with others. Nothing has escaped the impact of this utter brokenness, and that painful fruit is evident all around us. This is a harsh reality, so where is the good news?

Eph 2:14: “For [Christ] is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility…”

The good news is that where we are unable to make peace, God has made a way. Believers are at peace with God, which in turn allows us to be at peace within ourselves and at peace with those around us. Even in our not-yet-fully-redeemed state, we are fully forgiven! We are at peace with God, under the covering of Christ’s sacrificial blood. Let the words sink in: we are at peace with God.

Sometimes, the lies of the enemy encourage us to lean into a rejection of ourselves on account of our broken nature (no inner peace), indirectly justifying a rejection of the peace God offers to us. Yet, the restoration of peace with God (as He restores us to Himself) is precisely what is needed to heal the rifts and gaps we find so painful in other areas of our lives. Resting in Him brings perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3). He leads us beside still waters (Psalm 23:2). The Prince of Peace gives us His peace (John 14:27, 16:33) so that we too can sleep in the storm.

When thoughts race, when lives are turned upside down, and when we are faced with the chaos of many unknowns, remember that He is your peace. That is our security, our anchor, and our grounding. We take this opportunity to pray a familiar blessing of peace over you today, and encourage you to do the same over others in your circles:

Numbers 6:24-26: “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.”

Your Stoa Alumni Committee,

Samuel Durand (CA), Nicole Kaiser (MT), Alyssa Sloneker (AR), Denise Sprimont-Vasquez (VA), Elizabeth Stapleton (OK), and David Vasquez (VA)

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