A couple celebrities were recently discussing the struggle to be part of a faith community because of being constantly bombarded by people. They were asked, “If you attended a weekly worship service, what is the one thing you would like to experience?” Both said without hesitation, “an hour of peace.”
Isn’t that what we all want? Not only once a week, but all the time?
Jesus said, ”I give you peace, the kind of peace that only I can give. It isn’t like the peace that this world can give.” John 14:27
Interesting Jesus said there is a peace this world can give but it's often short-lived and unreliable. It is peace dependent on good circumstances- no storms, no troubles, no conflict. Or it may be a medicated peace- dependent on ingesting the next drug of choice. A young man relayed a few weeks ago, with clear eyes (and constricted pupils), this was the first time in 10 years he had not been high on something and how weird it was to feel and see things he hadn’t felt and seen for so long…
But Jesus said he gives His peace to us. Imagine that. The same peace Jesus has is what He gives to you.
His peace doesn’t depend on absence of conflict. He doesn’t fall off his chair when you tell Him what’s going on in your life. He doesn’t see obstacles as impossible. He desires to give peace, and to take action in response to your prayers!
Just think about the peace Jesus had, facing personal attack, limited resources, family rejection, flaky friends, misunderstanding, loneliness, twisting of his words, unrealistic expectations, threat of drowning, threat of being murdered, etc. Can you imagine in all those situations He never once freaked out? And that same peace is what He will give you?!
All you have to do is ask.
But it isn’t quite that simple. Asking isn’t the same as putting money in a vending machine and out pops the peace. It is predicated upon relationship. His peace flows from Him to you, His life in you.
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Isaiah 26:3
That’s why our experience of His peace can increase as we read the Bible, as we pray, as we worship together, as we confess our sins: all as we connect with Him…
Can you experience an hour of peace in the middle of a crazy-busy-frantic life? Absolutely. Just open the door of your mind and heart to Jesus. And keep coming back to those places where you experience His peace.
Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life. Philippians 4:6-7 The Message
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