It's what we're all looking for, is it not?
We search for it in activities - things that we love to do. We seek it in the eyes of the people we love. Our sight turns inside ourselves and we try to produce it, to root out all of our own flaws, after which the desired peace will surface.
Maybe if we could just look a little deeper, try a little harder, perfect ourselves, then we would find it.
But we've tried all those things and they haven't resulted in the peace we're looking for. The peace they produce is counterfeited and it doesn't last.
Even as Christians, I think we miss the source of peace sometimes - at least, I know I have. I believe if I could just do all the right things, read the right books, make time for the right activities, answer the questions the right way, get through my life with minimal damage, then I would find peace.
But what if we're wrong? What if peace has nothing to do with how much I accomplish for God?
What if it's not about what I do but what's been done for me?
Because of the cross of Jesus, I can find peace. He has caused reconciliation with God to be a possibility for men and women again. God not only promises to "keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast because he trusts in him" (Isaiah 26:3), the Bible also says that Jesus is the Prince of Peace. So, if He's the Prince of Peace, that means I can look to Him to give me the peace I need, right?
But I think I've got to surrender first. Maybe Surrender = Peace. And that's not easy.
How does one give over control of every area of life? How does a Christian yield up expectations, plans, the future, self-awarded rights, so that she can experience the peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7)?
I know that in most cases the Christian life is simpler than we make it. So the answers to these questions must be simpler than I expect. I want peace, and I want it to last, and I want my life to count for the Kingdom of God. So, I'll keep asking my questions and working towards surrender the best I know how. Then I'll let Him teach me what it looks like, how a surrendered heart should act, and hope that I'll better understand how it works as I go.
I know that God is good, that He's in control, that He loves me, and that He wins in the end. So, really, isn't that all that matters?
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I find that peace is a choice. The conditions around us will never be truly peaceful, as life is inherently chaotic, but it is possible to be at peace with them. It's impossible to control what happens around you, but you can control how you react.
ReplyDeleteOf course, that sounds great in theory, but, as I said, life is inherently chaotic. We need Christ, prayer, and the Word of Truth for the guidance necessary to be peaceful.
In other words, I like this post; keep it up!