Philippians 4:6-7
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer
and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your
hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
John 16:33
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this
world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the
world.”
I am the most peaceful—when I’m by the water, listening
to the waves lap.
We spent a couple of days at Lake Erie. I could sit and
listen to the water race to shore and lap back out all day. There is something
about the sound and the motion that covers me with calm. Perhaps the lull or
the push and pull, or maybe the overwhelming feeling that God is in control, and
I don’t need to worry about one little thing—because the crashing waves
remind me of the incredible power of God and his love for us.
As I sat by the lake, on a huge rock at Marblehead State Park,
I closed my eyes and my mind painted a picture of the Father who loves me. I
imagined him reaching over and giving me a hug. At that point, I understood, a
little more, the peace that surpasses my comprehension—the peace I feel in times of
trouble. Only then did I get a glimpse of Jesus’ gift of calm.
In John 16, Jesus preps his disciples, the twelve he chose,
to understand his future. He laid out God’s plan and assured them that whatever
happened to him, he was with God. He revealed to them their future, too. They
would all go to their own homes, their villages, back to their work, and he’d
be with his Father in heaven. Even as Jesus assured these men, who traveled and
taught with him for three years, that they’d experience peace, he reminded them
they’d have trouble.
The presence of trouble doesn’t mean we are without the
assurance of God.
Isn’t that the way of the world? We all experience problems,
obstacles, and doubts. Yet, Jesus offers peace. As his followers, we have the
same assurance as the disciples. A peace planted in our hearts by God.
Seek his peace.