In the quiet moments of dawn, I dream of possibilities. God calls us into a vision of shalom, and the Holy Spirit lights our path. As I prepare for leadership changes in June, my thoughts have become more disruptive. Sometimes in the darkness, uncertainty feels overwhelming: What if we get it wrong?

We face many challenges as a movement. In some places, participation dwindles, and our members grow older. Yet in other areas, membership grows, but finances do not increase at the same rate. This makes it difficult to equip people to thrive and grow in our mutual identity, mission, message, and beliefs.

In the quiet moments of dawn, I dream of possibilities. God calls us into a vision of shalom, and the Holy Spirit lights our path.

We live our ministry and discipleship in a polarized world. National borders tighten, countries wage wars, and social structures create dominant and oppressed groups. We face the realities of a climate-changing world, adding to the injustices endured by the most vulnerable.

In those dark moments, when my mind and heart reel against uncertainty, I rely on a mental list that stirs hope and rekindles my faith. I remind myself there are certainties: God’s unwavering love for the world; our calling to build communities of love, justice, and peace where all are welcome; and our interconnectedness to Earth and one another. These anchor me, providing hope.

I hold fast to the stories where Community of Christ members come together, not just to meet physical needs, but to transform hearts. At our best, we create opportunities where people learn to accept, respect, value, and love one another and Earth. When this happens, we catch glimpses of God’s vision for all people and creation, and our hope is renewed.

I remind myself there are certainties: God’s unwavering love for the world; our calling to build communities of love, justice, and peace where all are welcome; and our interconnectedness to Earth and one another. These anchor me, providing hope.

Some time ago, I participated in a class describing three levels of peace. The first is peacekeeping, which focuses on deterrence and protecting people by trying to control the bad players.

Next is peacebuilding, which focuses on fostering relationships to reduce conflict, promoting tolerance through mutual respect and understanding, addressing injustices, and creating spaces where diverse groups can coexist peacefully.

The ultimate level is peacemaking. Peacemaking goes beyond tolerance, embracing a Christlike love that recognizes the value and connection of all humanity and Earth. It involves personal change and coordinating with others to ensure everyone experiences harmony and mutual support. Respect and understanding transform into mutual growth and development benefiting all people. Peacemaking embodies the principle of interconnectedness by challenging us to love creation, including all people.

The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. said it well:

In a real sense, all life is interrelated. All [humans] are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be, and you can never be what you ought to be until I am what I ought to be. …This is the interrelated structure of reality.

As we embrace the interconnection of all people and creation, we move closer to God’s vision of shalom.

In those dark moments of uncertainty when the challenges feel overwhelming, it is easy to focus on what we are not doing right. But the Spirit reminds me that the vision of peacemaking we are called to pursue is possible when we collaborate with each other and God. As we build relationships based on mutual respect, understanding, and Christlike love; nurture shared growth; and collectively care for creation, we light the way forward, even in the darkest times. As we move onward, my focus shifts to “What if we get it right?”