Peace

“Peace, perfect peace, is the gift of Christ our Lord..” I remember singing this hymn in school assemblies. Such a simple song with such truth in it. It’s been going around my head this last week and it got me thinking about how it feels to have peace.

I think if people were asked what they want in life, peace would be in the top 5. When you move house you want a peaceful neighborhood, when your kids won’t leave you alone for a minute you ask them to “ leave you in peace” and when countries are at war with each other we want peace between them.

There’s a big search for “peace within”, which has made yoga and meditation the most popular form of exercise and relaxation going. Self help books that promise the peace you so crave cover coffee tables and book shelves, while the one book that has all the knowledge you need on Peace and who can bring that to your life, sits on your shelf in dust. ( If it’s there at all)
Did you know one of Jesus titles is Prince of Peace? Isaiah 9 v6 ” For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”

Now, I don’t know about you, but if I’m looking for peace, I’d be going to someone who has that title. Makes sense, right? Especially as it’s from God. People are so willing to do everything to get in touch with themselves, make a deeper connection; find peace within. It’s a never ending quest because you may find it in a moment of quiet, whilst reading a book that speaks to you and your life, or hiking up a mountain, but these feelings are fleeting and temporary and you have to work at it to keep those feelings of peace “topped up”. In the Bible, God tells us to seek peace: Psalm 34 v14 “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.” It is certainly something everyone of us is looking for, but more often than not, in the wrong places.

Peace from God is a gift, a free gift He gives to us, because to know Him, to be in His will is to have peace & rest. It is the most wonderful feeling. A feeling that no matter how much chaos is going on in your life or in the world you can rest in the Lord and you are filled with peace. John 14 v27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

With everything that’s going on in the world, it’s hard to feel at peace. So much worry, anxiety, anguish, grief, fear. Being able to get through the day is all you can do and focus on sometimes. Our emotions can be up and down and almost rule us and our thoughts. When there’s so much hurt and sadness in this world, so much love of self and none of God, it breaks my heart and I could easily let it cloud my thoughts, bringing me nothing but sadness inside. To be honest, there are some days when those feelings almost win over, days when I feel like cranking up some Pearl Jam and sitting alone in a dark room with nothing but my melancholy mood for company. ( the old me would have done that) but I remind myself of who I belong to, the one who loves me, who sent His son to die on the cross & rise three days later, for me (for everyone) and I go to Him and those feelings melt away. Romans 5 v1b: “we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”

The only place I know peace; the only place I know rest is in the arms of Jesus.He is the great comforter & He will bring you rest. ( Matt. 11v28-30)

John 16 v33: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

( originally written and posted on my previous blog in June 2020)