Peace
Scripture: John 14:27-31 (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)
27 “I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. 28 Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. 29 I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. 30 “I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, 31 but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going. (John 14:27-31 NLT)
A gift of Peace – Peace of mind and heart! Often I think of peace as the absence of conflict. The guns have stopped firing, fists have stopped flying, the angry voices are quiet. Sometimes I think of peace as the absence of worry. The bills are paid, the doctor had encouraging news, the kids are doing better in school. Sometimes I think of peace as a relaxing setting, camping by a quiet stream, sitting on the patio with a fire in the fire pit, a relaxing evening at home with Jean and Jake the Dog.
When Jesus promised peace, he wasn’t talking about a set of circumstances where everything is resolved and smooth, or a location where there’s nothing going on and we’re just chillin’, but a gift of peace that is independent of circumstances, situation, and noise level. Jesus is talking about calm in the storm! And he’s talking about calm in the storm without medication! He’s talking about the absence of anxiety even though the bills aren’t paid and it’s the end of the month. He’s talking about living without stress even though all the issues and disagreements aren’t resolved and we’ve got a very busy week ahead.
Jesus said, “Don’t be troubled or afraid!” And he said that to live like that is a gift—a gift from him to us. Oh how I need this kind of peace! And how thankful I am that this kind of peace of mind and heart is a gift that Jesus gives! I know my part in this process. My part is to trust him: To trust his love, his care, his power, his protection, and his provision. Join me, friends, in gratefully receiving the gift of peace!
Prayer:
Father, Thank you for the gift of peace of mind and heart. While we’re waiting for the storm to blow over and the situation to resolve and the conflict to cease, we receive the gracious gift of peace. In Jesus’ Name!