Remembering Peace

Last updated on January 20, 2023

All through this pandemic season, there has been peace. Not okayness with the world and the way it is going, but peace that surpasses understanding. We may not always be able to grasp that it is with us when the feelings of the day or the week or the month crowd it out, but it is still there. Jesus gave it to us.

Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Don’t let your heart be troubled or fearful.
John 14:27 CSB

That peace is there because God is there. No matter what sort of day I have, he is there. No matter what feelings and thoughts I have about myself and those around me, he is there. Even though, with social distancing, the people aren’t there to touch and embrace in physical community, he is there. And beneath the rumble and the buzz of a world falling to a great earthquake, his peace that he gave to me is there.

And it is there for you, too. It doesn’t leave. He gives it. He doesn’t take it back. Yet we don’t always notice it, do we? It can seem like just a nice “churchy” idea. Life isn’t peaceful. How can it be in this climate?

But a gift sitting untouched on a shelf is still a gift. Letting it sit there is not the same as its absence. Perhaps we have to start looking in its direction to see it. To remember it.

We have to lift it from the shelf and blow the dust off to behold its wonder again. We have to feel its weight, or rather, its lightness, and be present with the sensation. To let the Peace of Christ settle our hearts and minds and souls.

And then we learn to move at just the right pace and in just the right direction to remain in that peace. It takes practice. It takes discipline. And it is a glorious place to live.

On days when I’m moving at an unsettling pace, whether it be too fast or slow, I have a few resources I turn to that remind me what the peace of Christ looks and feels like. I would like to share some of those with you so that we can both gaze upon and move within the gift of peace which does not go away.

Scripture

He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also put eternity in their hearts, but no one can discover the work God has done from beginning to end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and enjoy the good life. It is also the gift of God whenever anyone eats, drinks, and enjoys all his efforts.
Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 CSB

Better one handful with rest than two handfuls with effort and a pursuit of the wind.
Ecclesiastes 4:6 CSB

Here is what I have seen to be good: It is appropriate to eat, drink, and experience good in all the labor one does under the sun during the few days of his life God has given him, because that is his reward. Furthermore, everyone to whom God has given riches and wealth, he has also allowed him to enjoy them, take his reward, and rejoice in his labor. This is a gift of God, for he does not often consider the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with the joy of his heart.
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20 CSB

Who among you is wise and understanding? By his good conduct he should show that his works are done in the gentleness that comes from wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your heart, don’t boast and deny the truth. Such wisdom does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace.
James 3:13-18 CSB

Don’t worry about anything, but in everything, through prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6-7 CSB