I've been thinking about the word peace a lot lately. This past year I went through the Fruits of the Spirit twice and peace is one of those fruits.
Living in Asia Dave and I have come into contact with people from all different kinds of backgrounds and various religions and the theme in all of them, either spoken verbally to us, or demonstrated through their actions has been a huge longing and desire to find that deep inner peace.
We've seen people bowing with their head to the ground at pagodas in Myanmar. We watched a Hindu girl go up 217 stairs on her knees as an act of service. We have heard people try to explain to us how they pray to the universe and how they meditate so they can have inner peace. We've walked amongst the Muslims whose theme claims to be a religion of peace.
As I heard and saw over and over the plea for peace God began bringing verses and verses to my mind. They all had the word peace in them.
Ephesians 2:14 - For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us.
Do you know what freedom there is in that verse? I don't have to do anything because He did it all! Jesus Himself is my peace. That big wall between God and I because of my sin? Jesus broke that down. He nailed it to His cross. He paid my debt.
I don't ever have to be good enough because He is good enough. I don't have to do works because He did the ultimate work on the cross. My debt is paid and I am free.
Jesus also came to give us peace.
John 14:27 - 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.
Jesus didn't come and purchase our pardon and then leave us. He left us with The Holy Spirit and He left us with peace. Peace also doesn't mean the absence of troubles, because troubles surely will come, but peace is the presence of Jesus Christ Himself.
That is what I'm banking my life on. It isn't my good works, because trust me, my flesh is rotten. I'm banking my life on Christ and that alone gives me peace in this life.
So I don't know where you are at in life, maybe you are seeking peace by doing good. Maybe you are overwhelmed and your plate is just full to the max. Maybe a family member is really sick. Maybe you have anxiety. Maybe your heart is broken. I know that a lot of my blog readers have a lot going on: big life decisions, daycare, stress, broken hearts and just the demands from day to day life. But remember that through your situation Jesus is your peace and He himself goes with you. He loves you and He cares about all the details.
Lastly, I want to address one more little thing. So many of you have been so kind in asking what Dave and I are doing next. I so so so feel loved that you care to ask so thank you! I'm kind of amused too that so many people just don't know what to say when we reply with "we don't know what we are doing next" or they are kind of surprised.
But here is the thing: God has led us every step of the way and I am 100% sure 100 times over that He has our next chapter written, planned and every detail is covered. I think about my life in the past - how when Bible school was so hard I had to quit and felt like the biggest failure, had no idea what to do and then someone came to me and said, "I have a job for you." That "I have a job for you" turned out to be a group home for pregnant teenagers. When that chapter closed I worked at the YMCA where I met some dear friends including the person I'd go to Korea with. God led me to the Hyatt where I learned organizational skills that have been a life saver this past year. When my life go so busy and I knew I needed to make a big change God opened the door for me to go to Korea. When I never thought I'd get married He sent me Dave. When I didn't think I could make it in small town Oklahoma God let me babysit Isaac. When we didn't have housing in Myanmar God arranged it. So basically, when I look back at my life there is no way I'm giving myself room to doubt. God is too great for that.
Does it mean the road will always be easy? No! I know I need to keep praying for faith and I need to keep praying that I'll be gracious and not cranky through the big upcoming life changes but deep deep in my heart God has just given me a peace and He has this covered! I don't claim the peace because by nature I'm a big planner so I know with no doubts that this peace is from Him.
So you and I will both get to go together along this next chapter and journey and see what He has written.
How are you doing friend?
Is Jesus your Peace?
This is one of your best posts, Beka. God has blessed you with the ability to share his word clearly and beautifully. I think you're so right about people longing for peace. It's sad they try to find it in other things. I often wonder how people can be so set against the things of Jesus, but deep down I think they know they are looking for peace. I love how you can look back and see Jesus's hand over your life! I definitely can too, and it's really awesome. Too easily I forget about that and worry about the next step. But really I should have peace in his plan.
ReplyDeleteAhhhhh thank you for writing this! You know that it's been a season of big decisions for us and this was a perfect reminder. I especially love the last part where you are okay not knowing what's next because God always and forever will guide you. So incredibly true <3
ReplyDeletethanks for the reminder friend!!!! definitely need to remember when we are longing for peace it ultimately only comes from Him... so to Him we should run! :)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful post! I really needed to hear these things. Before I read your post I had what seemed like 4856 things on my to-do list running through my head...plus just feelings of exhaustion. Reading this helped, and I feel a lot more peace after reading those scriptures and being reminded that God is here with me and that in Him I find peace. Thank you for this!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I read this today. It's amazing how God provides when you have no idea how you're going to make it. I'll definitely be needing some peace as I work on final projects the next couple weeks. Can't wait to see where he leads you and Dave next!
ReplyDeleteWow, this is beautiful!! I agree, a peace from God does not mean that we are absent of trials and trouble, but that in those trials and troubles, we can rest and know He is with us. I love Isaiah 26:3: "You will keep in perfect peace all who's mind are stayed (focused on) You, because he trusts in You". That was my life verse for about 6 months in 2014 and early 2015 as I dealt with some anxiety. He is our rest, our stronghold, our safe place, our hiding place. That doesn't mean we have our futures marked out for us, rather, it often means we have no idea what's next (like you said) but that we are trusting in God. Great post! And it was awesome learning more about your journey and how God has been directing you thus far! It always helps me to look back at the ways God has been faithful whenever I start to worry or grow anxious about what is unknown in the future. The same God who took you through all of that is the same God will guide you through new places and experiences.
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