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The world is uncertain. Jobs are not secure. Marriages crumble. Neighborhoods aren’t safe. We may be tempted to crawl under a rock.

An artist painted a picture of raging ocean waves crashing on a craggy and rocky coastline. The ocean spray flew into the sky. The waves churned, and storm clouds filled the sky. But, as you look closer at the painting you see something. Where two rocks leaned together forming a crevice there was a white figure. It was a sleeping seabird, nestled in its nest, safe from the storm because of the shelter of the rock. The little bird was at peace although a storm raged around her.

Lean into peace by learning to trust the Holy Spirit more completely.

Heavenly Peace

I don’t know what the future holds, but I know WHO holds the future! When I get too focused on this world, I too easily lose my peace. This world is full of goodness, but it is also filled with strife. But I choose to dwell on the lasting peace the Spirit gives me. God’s heavenly peace encompasses every aspect of my life. With His peace my heart is calm and I do not fear.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27, RSV

Purposeful Peace

I choose to plant a seed of peace by taking any little action I can to be a peacemaker. I may not see an immediate harvest of peace. But by entrusting my little seeds to the Master Farmer, I know that a harvest of peace will come into my life.

“For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, without uncertainty or insincerity. And the harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.” James 3:14-18, RSV

Legacy Peace

Jesus gives me peace by forgiving my sins. He then calls me to pass the gifts of forgiveness and peace to others. My peace grows only when I hand it down to others through forgiveness.

“. . .and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body.” Colossians 3:13-15, RSV

Strong Peace

Our Heavenly Father is the King of the Universe. When adversaries come against me, I will depend on the strength of the Lord. When I depend on heavenly strength, then I have a blessed peace even in the middle of life’s storms. It’s not all up to me. I don’t have to rely on my own strength alone. My strength is in the Lord.

“The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;

the Lord sits enthroned as king for ever.

May the Lord give strength to his people!

May the Lord bless his people with peace!” Psalm 29:10-11, RSV

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