Thrive & FlourishSample

Choose Restoration

Strong communities are restorative; they are committed to restoring peace, harmony and the natural beauty of a world inflicted by conflict, tragedy and devastation. People in these communities share a common understanding of what a peaceful and just co-existence looks like, and what constitutes a breaking of the peace. When peace is broken, or harmful unjust acts take place, strong communities will take agreed steps towards restoring peace and protecting the planet’s natural resources and wildlife.  

In the times and cultures we live in, it is all to easy to mindlessly adopt attitudes and behaviors that align themselves more with greed, consumerism, selfish ambition and narcissistic thinking, rather than peace, harmony, justice and restoration.   Unless, that is, we choose to be intentional about rooting the Kingdom of God deeply within us, and nurturing and growing the values and character of that Kingdom each day. We need to remind ourselves that from the tiniest mustard seed comes the most incredible transformation; the smallest amount of yeast works through the whole dough.  

We can choose to be counter-cultural in our thoughts and actions. We can choose to bring beauty out of pain and devastation. We can choose to be peacemakers in places that have only known tragedy or conflict. And we can choose to be a loving presence, walking alongside the hurt and wounded. Having our hearts open, and allowing love to continually work its transformative power in and through us, is a very good place to start for our own personal restoration and renewal, and ultimately for the good of others we encounter, too.  

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for loving me and for deepening my understanding of love. Let this be my starting place today. May my heart and mind be open.  

We hope you’ve found this bible study inspiring and provoking. 

We want to see an end to extreme poverty and we know we need to cry out to God for that to happen. Tearfund works in more than 50 countries across the world and we’re gathering people from those nations and beyond to pray as One Voice.