On April 11, 1783, the fledgling American Continental Congress officially proclaimed a ceasefire for the Revolutionary War.

Among other things, the document, “Declaring a Cessation of Arms,” stated:

Hostilities between the said Kings, their Kingdoms, States, and Subjects, should Cease in all Parts of the World.

Though the resulting Treaty of Paris wasn’t signed until September 3, the ceasefire of April 11 allowed the nations involved to stop fighting and begin planning for their future.

During the Revolutionary War, each side lost approximately 25,000 souls, though far more died from disease than on the battlefield. As the war raged, people clung to their faith. They had faith in God, faith in their cause, and faith in their leaders. As the fighting dragged on year after year, citizens on both sides hoped for the best possible outcome.

But only the signing of the Ceasefire allowed love to enter the picture. This single piece of paper eradicated enmity, allowing the citizens of countries that were once intent on destroying each other to find common ground.

God is love (1 John 4:8). That’s why love is the most powerful force on earth. Without love, faith and hope are little more than wishes during a war. But love brings the ceasefire.

Only love holds the promise of a bright future.