9 Nov, 2010
A Different Kind of Peace
Picture courtesy of boston.com
Think for a second about a place you find really peaceful.
What does it look like? What does it feel like? How do you feel after you've been there?
One of my favorite peaceful places is the beach. I love sitting in the sand, barefooted, with my journal and my Bible, staring out into the waves and thinking deep thoughts.
Until I figure out that the sand is wet under my seat.
Or my neck cramps up from looking down at my journal.
Or the sunshine is so bright I can't read my bible without squinting....
Eventually even my "peaceful" place doesn't give me the feeling I'm looking for. Most of the time, I think the kind of peace the Bible talks about is the same way--it might work for a little while, but then the stress just comes right back.
But what if the kind of peace God gives is completely different?
"For he [Jesus] himself is our peace..." Ephesians 2:14
"Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way." 2 Thessalonians 3:16
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace."
Colossians 3:15
The bible talks about peace as something that has nothing to do with circumstances. Paul, the writer of much of the New Testament, spoke often about peace--and his life was anything BUT peaceful! In 2 Corinthians, Paul tells us about the many trials he faced in his desire to share Christ--beatings, imprisonment, shipwrecks, betrayal, and poverty. So when Paul, shipwreck, beating, prison-guy Paul, teaches about peace, I want to listen. How was he peaceful even in really stressful times?
Paul's letters teach us three things about this peace:1. It's special. In Ephesians, Jesus is called our peace. When accept Christ as our Savior, we are given a peace that comes only from having our sin forgiven and our standing put right with God. That kind of peace is a foundational experience of being made "right." or righteous.
2. It's constant. In 2 Thessalonians, Paul prays that believers would know that peace at all times and in every way. We don't have to stress and strain with our life circumstances. We can pray for peace even in really stressful situations--and actually experience a difference in our life. Where we used to always feel stressed, we can feel a strange new thing--that's God's peace.
3. It rules our hearts. In Colossians, Paul talks about this peace "ruling" in our hearts. Commentators say that the Greek word used here means "referee." Have you ever thought about Jesus in your heart "refereeing" your feelings? Telling you when to speak and when to be quiet? Calming your anxiety? Teaching you about why you feel the way you do and helping you to understand yourself better? That's what He does when we allow him (and his peace) to rule.
Try it:
Sometime this week you are bound to feel stressed out. Schoolwork, family relationships, friendships or pressures unique to your situation create opportunities for stress and worry. When that time comes, try a deep breath and try a prayer like this:
Dear Jesus, you call yourself my peace. Right now I don't feel peaceful, I feel _______ (stressed, angry, overwhelmed, worried, lonely....).
But I believe what you say, that you offer your peace at all times, and that your peace can rule my heart. I ask you Jesus to let that peace rise up in me now. Please help me to know your peace that is beyond my understanding. (Philippians 4:7)
When people are peaceful in good circumstances, it's normal.
But when someone is peaceful in a hard, stressful time? Now that's special!
If you experience peace in a hard time this week, make sure you share that experience with someone. When praying for peace works, share it. If reading a scripture worked, share that.
Not only that: when you experience that peace, others will notice. Be prepared to share the truth of the source of your peace. There is no greater witness to God's ability to transform our hearts than having a spirit of peace instead of worry.
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