JESUS, OUR PEACE

Peace, I leave with you; My peace
I give to you; not as the world
gives do I give to you.
Do not let your heart be
troubled, nor let it be fearful
John 14:27

Ask any person the one thing right now they would love to have in their lives. The list would result in being lengthy and items varied. Some may list some spiritual qualities and goals but when really looking into the depths of one's own spirit, peace may be an expressed need. However, peace may not be close to the top.

My first acquaintance with the word peace was when very young. My parents spoke of my uncle who was in the Army and would be coming home soon because of the end of the war. They spoke of the enemy as “giving up” and a paper was signed on a ship called the Missouri. I just took it that it was happening somewhere near St. Louis. No matter, it meant no more war and there would be peace.

Since that time and with much maturity, I have learned that peace isn't just a paper signed by two enemies that brings about an end to a war. I've since learned through time and trial that peace can be viewed in different ways. Conflict will always be a part of our lives until Heaven. Peace is not the absence of conflict. For we believers, peace can be a part of our lives despite any conflict we face.

Peace like love is of God. An unbeliever cannot know either of those things without a relationship with Jesus. Looking at the epistles of the apostle Paul, one finds within the first few verses a consistent blessing....”grace and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” How interesting that in every case, Paul puts grace before peace. The simple fact is that without the grace of God that enables our salvation, there can be no peace.

For us, peace is a gift. Jesus said it's something given to us by Him. At the giving of this promise by Jesus, He was facing death in a short period of time. He knew his disciples were troubled as He spoke of leaving. They were anything but peaceful, but He assured them of a peace He was giving them that the world could know nothing about. His peace is totally different from what the world offers.

The peace of the world is often found in distraction. There are those who find their peace in money, the next new car, friends, a new dress, a few cocktails during one's day, travel, overeating and even drugs. Many folks may use more than one of those things to give moments of what they would call peace. That peace, however, is temporary and soon, other distractions from the pains of life are required.

We are living in world that is crying for peace and many are looking for it in all the wrong places. We are finding the world seeking it's own kind of peace, is affecting us who know what Jesus intends what our peace is to be. Jesus said His peace wasn't anything like what the world's peace. He even suggested the world will try to give us it's peace. I'm afraid we often fall victim to what the world has to offer.

The human mind is a wonderful thing. It's who we are and it will be what we feed it. Jesus gave us instruction...”Do not let ”....your heart (mind) be troubled. Otherwise, we have some decisions to make as to what we feed on that will either be a blessing or cursing. This means we have a control as we focus on the One Who is the source of our peace. When I look away from him, my eye wanders to outside influences. Jesus has provided the peace we need. I wonder how often we even pray for peace in our lives. We're not to be troubled or fearful (both the opposite of peace) as the world is. We aren't meant to be victims but victors through Christ Who loves us and Who is our peace.

These things I have spoken to you,
so that in Me you may have peace.
In the world you have tribulation, but
take courage; I have overcome
the world.
John 16:33

Forgive me, Father, for worrying and being fearful over things out of my control. You've promised me Your peace. I'm sorry for not trusting You to be my peace, rest and contentment. Help me to find my rest in You and Your sovereignty. Please use me to be a witness to Your power, love and yes, peace. Thank You for Jesus Who is our peace. In His precious name...Amen