Our hearts are heavy today as we pray and think about the state of the world and our nation.

There’s a root cause to what divides people and nations, and there’s one person who can unite us and bring peace.

At one point in our pasts, we “had no hope and were in the world without God.”

But now.

“But now” are the two words you should always pay attention to throughout the Bible. They alert you to a significant change from the way things were (the problem) to the way things are (the solution), and point you to the way things will be (restored).

“But now through Christ Jesus you, who were once far away, have been brought near by the blood of Christ. So he is our peace.”

“That is why you are no longer foreigners and outsiders but citizens together with God’s people and members of God’s family.”

In Christ, not only can we find peace, but we are also peacemakers—working together with God to bring the Good News of peace to the people we live with, work with, and serve with.

All references are from Ephesians 2, GOD’S WORD Translation.