I Want Peace
“I Want Peace”
“The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace” (Psalm 29:11).
When I was a little shaver my mother would often gasp, “All I want is a little peace and quiet!” I never quite understood that phrase. It often made no sense to me. Both my twin brother Tom and I thought things were pretty peaceful and maybe a little too quiet. Having been a parent and a grandparent, of course, I get it now. Don’t we all want a little peace and quiet? Or maybe at least we can say together the peace part. “I want peace!”
But peace is a commodity not easy to come by. Wars and rumors of wars make life anything but peaceful. However, it is not usually military actions or threats that steal our peace. Rather it is personal circumstances. There’s a meme of a smiling minion holding a cupcake. The caption reads: “My therapist told me to achieve inner peace I must finish what I start. So far, I’ve finished 2 bags of M&M’s and a chocolate cake. I feel better already.” Jesus offers a better way.
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27). In his last hour Jesus is helping us not be anxious on the inside. He looks into the faces of Peter, Andrew, and company. “You look troubled. I can see the fear in your eyes. I love you. I hate it when you look this way. I’m not going to leave you troubled.” It really is this simple. It is this personal. Jesus is this kind of a friend and Savior to you and me. “Do not let your heart be troubled.” Not your world, but don’t let your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid. I want you to be a rock like Peter. Be fearless.
“Not as the world gives.” How exactly does the world give peace? The world gives peace with gated communities or a Gaston Glock. The world gives peace with a retirement nest egg. The world gives peace with health insurance. None are wrong in themselves. Each even a blessing when rightly appreciated but Jesus says, “I’m not giving peace that way.”
Jesus is giving peace for when the retirement egg gets cracked or gated community is breached. Still, you have peace in Christ. It’s not found the absence of conflict but in the presence of Christ. Christ calls it “my peace.” “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you.” “I gave you my joy,” meaning, “I love the Father. I delight in the Father. The Father loves me. Come on in and have our love - our joy. I have a peace with the Father that is unrivaled,” Jesus says. “My peace passes understanding. Would you like some of mine?” By faith in Jesus as the lover of your soul and Savior you have that peace. Your sin is gone. Heaven is your home. Your future is secure. Christ is with you, even now. And you are indeed at one, in Trinitarian unity with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Are you feeling the wrinkles of the soul start to smooth out? Don’t let your heart be troubled, my friend. Trust in him and actually enjoy Jesus.
