Finding Peace
God blesses those who work for peace,
for they will be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9 (NLT)
Growing up as a city kid, you get used to the hustle and bustle of it. You are always moving, and there is always something to do. Furthermore, there is what I would call the ‘noise’ of the city, where there is something, you are always hearing whether it be a siren, children playing, the revving of a car, or even a plane or train. As I grew older and had my own family, there became a time where I yearned for quiet time. I still love being close to the city but waking up in the middle of the night to the sound of quiet is something I have grown to love. It gives me a sense of peace that I never knew existed. It truly gives meaning to the idea of sometimes you don’t know what you don’t know.
Peace is something that is often desired but rarely found. While quiet time can be peaceful, it does not necessarily mean you are at peace. For example, recently I enjoyed time alone where I had no responsibilities or pending activities. I could just sit back and relax. Yet, I was not at peace. I was worried about things at the job, and there were family matters that were becoming a growing concern. There were goals that were falling short of expectations, and other things that bothered me. It was almost impossible for me to turn down the volume of the voices clamoring over these topics. Thus, I pondered over this question. How can I find peace with so much going on? In Isaiah 26:3, David finds peace in God saying, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” But if you are dealing with so much going on, where is there any peace?
Peace is found by trusting in God, and it is not given but a constant work in progress. In the journey of life, we often find ourselves yearning for peace amidst the chaos and the cacophony of our daily struggles. It is in these moments that we must remember the profound wisdom nestled within the Scriptures, offering us a beacon of hope and strength. Consider the King James version of today’s verse that resonates with our deepest longing: "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God." A friend of mine was talking about dancing to a particular song that was not his traditional music. My response was quite simply, “That is not a problem with the song. It is a feature.” Our challenge to find peace is not necessarily a problem. It is a prompt from God.
Take inspiration from the Apostle Paul, who spoke candidly of his own tribulations saying, “If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.” (2 Corinthians 12:6-8) His thorn, a relentless torment, served not as a curse but as a divine instrument to prevent pride and to deepen his reliance on God's grace. "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness," the Lord assured him (verses 9-10). In this divine paradox, Paul discovered a transcendent peace, one that allowed him to rejoice in his imperfections, for they became conduits for Christ's power. Peace is not always about quiet time or calm seas. It is having the ability to focus on Christ even when all that is about you is calamitous and challenging. It is trusting the words Jesus says when He called upon us saying, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)
Sometimes, God is there to support us when we feel overwhelmed. Yes, He can solve our problems, but at times, He just wants us to do what we already know is right. When we pray for patience, He gives us opportunities to be patient. When we pray for control of something, He tests us to see how we will maintain it in trying circumstances. Peace is not a gift handed to us; it is a skill to be mastered, akin to the wisdom imparted by the Serenity Prayer: “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.” This profound insight invites us to find balance and tranquility within. So, remember that each moment of hardship is Jesus’ chisel, crafting our spirit into a masterpiece. We are being molded, polished, and primed for a destiny grander than we can imagine. Where are you struggling for peace today? What promises of God can help you find His perfect peace? My prayer is that we continually focus on Christ to ensure we find peace. Amen.