His peace.
How long has it been since you have tasted the full and deep measure of God’s peace? And more importantly, do you even begin to comprehend the difference between this world’s packaging of peace and the Father’s gifting of peace? What does it mean to you that the God of all creation gives in accordance to his “Godness” and not according to a temporal standard that, at best, is momentary and shallow?
We take vacations in search of peace, only to return with frazzled nerves and a mounting credit card. We turn on the television as a way of escaping the pressures of the current, only to be bombarded with the harsh assaults by an industry that thrives on chaos and conflict. We labor our cause for peace through political points of view, only to walk away with a growing dislike for our contemporaries who don’t view the world through similar lenses.
We take to our self-soothing through…
alcohol
drugs…prescribed and otherwise
food
sleep
shopping
internet and email
movies
music
sexual addictions…and the entertaining of thoughts therein
exercise
…all manner of creature comforts that, perhaps, breathe an initial breath of peace but in the end leave us void of any deep and lasting portion.
We want peace for our journeys, but somewhere along the road, we have bought into the lie that peace can be purchased. It is a good lie because it’s working on most of us. But peace that comes with a price tag is simply a masking for the enemy’s offering of bondage. Satan’s objective is to keep us searching…to keep us in a perpetual stage of running toward a goal that he knows can never be achieved through our good intentions or a bulging bank account. Satan’s offer of peace serves on the same platter as it did for the disciples over 2000 years ago.
The world’s promise of peace may have walked differently back then, but it still measured the same.
Worldly and lacking.
But then Jesus interrupted the scene with an alternative—an offering of his own portion of peace. It was a peace that extended far beyond the customary greeting and conversational benediction of their vernacular. It was a “penetrating through the doors” kind of peace that poured deep with an extended reach toward their forever.
When Jesus told his followers about his soon and coming departure, undoubtedly their hearts were a flurry with confusion and grief. It is the same for us. Anytime we perceive our Jesus to be absent from our “routine and normal” we, too, are prone to our flurry and our worry until we can no longer find the thread of peace that links us back to our faith. It may only be momentary, but unless our peace is anchored within the truth of Jesus’ offering of peace, our lingering chaos lasts long and hard and keeps us from experiencing the immediate intention of a Father’s gift.
The disciples were at a distinct disadvantage, although we often think of them as more blessed for having walked and talked with Jesus and for being the front row witnesses of his miraculous. No, in that moment of hearing Jesus’ forecast concerning his future, their troubled hearts didn’t have the benefit of the one thing that we now possess.
Hindsight. A backward glance into sacred history as we now know it. We see Jesus’ cycle of life and understand the reasons for his cross. We are the benefactors of such a gift. But when Christ spoke to the disciples concerning his death and his resurrection, their momentary pain kept them shackled to the cross…to their chaos and confusion…instead of pushing them ahead to vision the promise of their forever.
And even though we have the documented benefit of history, even though we’ve seen the working out of Calvary’s pouring grace and an Easter’s crowning resurrection and a Pentecost’s promised revival, even though we know it all to be true in the deepest marrow of our being, we still live as a people in search of God’s peace.
I’ve got some good news for you today. The search is over. God’s peace is here. His name is Jesus, and he lives in each one of us through the witness and power of his Holy Spirit. Love’s redeeming work was done over 2000 years ago, and the overflow from that sacred grace is a lasting peace. Never to be purchased. Never to be contrived or managed or fit into a busy schedule as needed, but rather to simply be received and to be lived. To be understood and to be treasured.
You need not go to the market in search for the seemingly unattainable. If you know Jesus to be your Savior, then you contain within you the absolute attainable. Not because you are deserving, but simply because you are the penchant of your Father’s heart, and his lasting and enduring peace is the sacred root that will grow you toward your forever.
Our Father does not give to us as the world gives. He gives better. More than the eye can see. More than the ear can hear. More than the mind can conceive. And sometimes, more than our faith can believe. God’s immeasurably more will always trump the seen and the measurable. The gifts from our Father’s hands are the seeding of our tomorrow. He gives with the future in mind. He gives gifts that have eternal reach because eternity is his to give, and Peace is ours to live.
Not just when life breathes good, but when life breathes heavy and threatens our very existence. Peace is our very good portion. Our constant and our abiding gift from heaven until we reach the shores of our forever and see our Peace, face to face.
Who can fathom the glorious riches of our then…of our now?! I can, and thus I pray,
Jesus, you are my Peace. Keep me to the road of Peace. Harbor my thoughts in the depth of your constant and abiding Peace who lives within. When I am tempted to search elsewhere…to pull out the wallet and to purchase peace at the going rate…drop me to my knees in thankfulness for the price that has already been paid on my behalf for your gift of lasting peace. Walk through the door of my heart, Lord, each and every day and speak your words of Peace over my life. Give according to your “Godness” and not according to my want, for my want will always fall short of your immeasurably more. And you my Father, have made me for more; thus, I bow to receive my portion from your hand his day. Amen.
~elaine
For a more in-depth look at God’s concept of peace, please take time to read John 14. May God bless the reading and the pondering of his word as only he can. Shalom!
Copyright © August 2008 – Elaine Olsen. All rights reserved.
Eternal peace…a concept we can’t comprehend…we won’t have to seek it once we get There!…we will be in His Peaceful Presence.
That was beautiful, Elaine!
Thank you for sharing the thoughts that have been walking around in your heart.
God Bless,
Amy:)
I did stop the hecticness of the day to just read and hear from the Lord. Thank you for this insightful post.
So beautiful, as usual, Elaine! This really spoke to me: “And even though we have the documented benefit of history, even though we’ve seen the working out of Calvary’s pouring grace and an Easter’s crowning resurrection and a Pentecost’s promised revival, even though we know it all to be true in the deepest marrow of our being, we still live as a people in search of God’s peace.”
Oh, how I let this truth slip away sometimes!
Peace,Elaine.
Peace is something that over this life I have looked for in so many ways. The deception of this world is that so many times for a bit…all would be calm. But calm is not always peace.
I have learned what His peace is like…the sad thing is that sometimes I still try and take the world in place of Him.
One day there will be no more choices……can’t wait.
I will have to go and read John.
peace, peace, God’s peace…
thank you, friend, for this moment to ponder His peace and deeply breathe in the refreshment.
Love these thoughts, Elaine. Will go to bed with “peace” on the mind.
Lisa 🙂
When things get crazy noisy in my house, I hold up my arms and say, “Okay, I need some peace!” But the Lord is the giver of that peace. It’s a state of internal calm, no matter what is going on on the outside.
Great post and that picture…what a visual!
Amen, Amen, again I say Amen!
Elaine, I know some folks who constantly seek to fill that void. It breaks my heart!
Love the shadow of the One Way sign!
So many times I forget that true ‘peace’ is a fruit of the Spirit and cannot be ‘had’ unless we are abiding in the Vine. I’ve known exquisite moments of peace as I looked upon His creation and had my senses quickly quietened to worship Him along with all creation. A peace that passes all understanding. Thank you.
“The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5-7
I learned the verses above over 35 years ago. The words flow off my tongue with ease, but to live the truth is tougher. The ‘transcending peace’ that is available often escapes me. In my searching and striving, I don’t rest in His nearness long enough to allow His peace to flow over and flood my life.
The chorus to a song by Big Daddy Weave says, “Hold me Jesus cause I’m shaking like a leaf
You have been my King of Glory won’t you be my Prince of Peace
Come and be my Prince of Peace.”
Desiring His peace for my journey,
Joy
Elaine,
I just popped by Saija’s blog, Thro a Glass Darkly at http://www.saija.blogspot.com/ and when I read the description of Mary in her post titled “Loved”, I immediately thought of you..check it out.
What a wonderful writer you are! What sweet revelations to share with us! Thank you! I needed to read this, and I had more peace in the reading!
I love the “one way” photo! That is awesome!
Elaine… too true about the vacations… we do try to buy peace, don’t we? And it never works… True peace is freely given… why do we discount what is given freely? Thanks for the reminder… you’re a blessing!
Beautiful and so insightful. Thank you for sharing these thoughts. You’re absolutely right about the crazy lengths to which we go to “purchase” (what we think brings) peace. What a shame we often miss what’s right in front of us, ready for the taking through Jesus.
Thinking on these things…
Tracy
P.S. Love that photo!
Sometimes my greatest peace arrives in the silence of dawn. In it (both dawn & its peace) I am most aware of the incredible pregnancy of grace about to burst upon the new day. It is there that I better realize that all things are new – and even the mundane cloaks itself in a robe of glory.
Peace is, well … just so peaceful.
Bless you,
Kathleen
Awesome post… I better get back to my Bible reading now!
“. . . if you are in a rush and life is screaming around your heart with the speed of light, I’ll understand your taking a pass. But in doing so, I think you will neglect a pondering that is, perhaps, most intended for you, for we are a weary and busy people.”
Thanks for your words that enticed me to rest a while in His Peace. I really needed that.
Elaine, you are an artist with your camera as well as with your pen! You also have the gift of awareness.
Love,
R&B
And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Ph 4:7
Once you’ve tasted what God has to offer nothing else will do.
Thanks for the beautiful post.
Peace and love,
Beautiful, my friend – beautiful, and needed!
Hugs,
Melinda
awe, a breath of fresh air!
Elaine,
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog yesterday and leaving such encouraging words. I take them to heart.
I am doing well today and again choosing to make it a joy filled day.
Blessings, Cindy
Elaine, that was awesome! Each time I visit your blog, I am blessed. And tonight, it’s peace!! I needed that after today! Thank you,friend! Have a wonderful weekend!
Love ya,
Susan
There is so much peace when we settle our thoughts, our hopes, our dreams in his everlasting lap of love. These past couple of weeks I have been heavy of heart with the Peace I bask in being invaded. How wonderful a reminder of where peace is today and always. Thanks.
Elaine-my computer is acting up tonight. My husband has been on the phone twice today with our internet service. It’s frustrating. I can’t beleieve I got on your blog. I have started Alicia Britts Choles book “Anomyous” and I was told there is a workbook but I have done a search for such without success. Any help here?
In His Graces~Pamela
[email protected]
The shadow from the sign says it all. What an awesome pic!
I hear you and understand what you are saying.
There is such an emptiness with what this world offers. Yet so often we get so caught up in it all that we run from one thing to the next trying to fill the ache that canvases our souls. We are too busy to slow down and feel. We don’t want to feel. So often we don’t want to be alone with ourselves and our “backed up” pain.
Yet it’s in the moments of emptiness that we take our aches to Him to fill and move into. As He comes a peace that passeth all understanding permeates our souls. He is enough.
Thanks for sharing your heart.
I also wanted you to know that I’ve started reading “Anonymous”. She is writing my heart in that book.
I wrote about what the first chapter speaks to me about on my blog.
I’m SO glad I am reading this book.
Blessings,
Julie
Elaine,
Thanks for your comments on my blog.
I hear you…I understand what you are saying…I have felt that same hiddenness for years. I told my husband once that I feel like I am hidden under a bushel. I’ve been learning to hold back and wait. I used to really struggle with it. After all I wanted to be “useful” to Him…. but He has brought me to such peace. In the process I realized that involved in my desire to be “useful” was a inappropriate need to be found with value… I am thankful He has held me back to prune away the dross.
I was able to teach “Captivating” to 25-30 women for 12 weeks. It was one of the best experiences I’ve had. It was my first time speaking like that.
Each week I prepared a teaching from the chapter of the book. I was amazed at how God came…
I won’t soon forget that experience.
Let me know when your study gets rolling. I’d love for you to keep me posted.
Bless you,
Julie
Peace… such a small word with such power…
I think you speak with such beauty and shared definitely from your heart…
you are such a blessing to the kingdom of our precious Lord
bless you my friend
Connie
Thank you for the reminder Elaine. I think I live in peace more often than not, but lately I have felt like Peter walking on the water. We know we’re walking in His strength and power, but start to look around, lose heart and begin to sink. I don’t know why it’s so hard to keep Him in sight and move in the confidence that His strength never wavers and His favor toward us is constant.
Amen! ~ His peace is perfect.