Peace
What does Peace look like for you?
Sitting on a beach in the warm sunshine and with your toes in the sand. Turning off your mobile or other devices. Going for a long walk either on your own or with a close friend and chatting. Sitting in your favourite armchair, not thinking just miles away. Watching a wonderful sunset.
Looking up at the stars in the night sky on a frosty evening. At the end of a busy day, sitting in the chair in front of the TV knowing that you did all you could during the day to the best of your ability. On holiday away from the routines and stresses of life. Taking time for yourself whilst the house is empty. Sat with a hot brew with just the sound of the ticking of the clock. Contentment after a meal.
Being in a room filled with certain sounds or music which helps you relax. Sitting in the garden with just the sounds of the birds and the colours of the plants all around you. Satisfaction following the completion of a task, big or small. And there will be others you may think of.
Peace is a priceless commodity.
Photo by Candice Seplow via Unsplash
Peace can be an external reality: the total lack of sound or an internal experience whereby there are no worries, concerns or anxieties but there is satisfaction, contentment and a stillness of the mind.
For many in the world, peace is not a reality: those in war and conflict zones, those in villages which are attacked during the night with buildings burned and people kidnapped or worse.
For some, peace is dangerous and difficult: the strange sounds which keep you awake in the silence of the night if the area in which you live is notorious for crime. For those who are isolated and lonely, peace fails to be a friend also for those waiting for expected and demanding news. Peace can prove to be elusive to those in prison or detention and for refugees in the extensive camps of our world. Peace is not a given.
The Bible teaches us many things about peace. Peace is an act: Jesus instructs his disciples to ‘have peace one with each other’ (Mark chapter 9).
Peace is a mindset or thought process: ‘there was no peace to him’ (2 Chronicles chapter 15 verse 5).
Peace is a gift from God: ‘ But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience...’ (Galatians chapter 5 verse 22)
Peace is a state of being: Simeon prays, ‘Lord, now let your servant depart in peace.’ (Luke chapter 2 verse 29).
Peace is an emotion; Jesus came amongst them and said, ‘Peace to you!’ (John chapter 20 verse 19).
Peace is a blessing: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they shall be called the children of God. (Matthew chapter 5 verse 9).
Peace is a key component of faith: You will guard him and keep him in perfect and constant peace whose mind is stayed on you. (Isaiah chapter 26 verse 3).
Peace is a promise from Jesus: ‘Peace I leave with you. My peace I now give and bequeath to you.’ (John chapter 14 verse 27).
Peace is God’s approval on your life: The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord turn His face toward you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. (Numbers chapter 6 verses 24 – 26).
Peace is an instruction: If possible, so far as it lies with you, live at peace with all. (Romans chapter 12 verse 18).
Peace is part of the identity of Jesus; His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. (Isaiah chapter 9 verse 6) So, what is peace for you?
Do you need peace?
Then, go to our God, the giver of all good gifts including peace.
The following song may be useful to you;
Peace is flowing like a river (Mission Praise 554).
The following prayer may be helpful for you;
Lord, you fill our lives with lasting peace: not the easy peace of apathy or indifference but the peace that comes from knowing your love. When our peace is low, please refill us so that your peace in our lives will spill out to others.
Amen
A Blessing for you;
Then the peace of God, which is beyond all understanding, will guard your hearts and your thoughts in Christ Jesus. Amen
(Philippians chapter 4 verse 7)
God bless you