Where in the World is the Peace?

Josh and I have had a peaceful night. I think we are almost used to the 3 or 4 interruptions each night to check on Josh's vitals. He almost doesn't wake up and I wake up enough to see that everything is ok. But even without the side effects that we are fearful of, there is always in the back of our minds the reminder that at any time, he could get an infection or have a reaction or any number of other things that could go wrong.

This morning as I opened my devotional for today, it talked bout peace. The apostle Paul wrote that God gives peace through Jesus Christ. And as I thought about it, I reflected on how unpeaceful our lives have been lately. It only took a few moments to realize that our daily lives could be better described as being chaotic then peaceful.

And to be fair, our lives have changed dramatically in the last two weeks. We went from a fairly regular schedule, focused on the responsibilities we had; to living in hospitals, speaking a different language, being isolated from our friends and church family and wondering each morning if this would be the day. Would things get worse today or will they stay the same?

It is easy to quote verses like Philippians 4:6 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." But lets be honest, if someone we love is staring death in the face, it makes us a little anxious.

As a family we are facing a medical crisis that still has us reeling. As a church body, world wide and locally, we are facing a spiritual crisis that shocks us. As a community we are in the midst of a drought that will cause a financial crisis effecting everyone. As a nation we are facing a serious debt crisis, war, unemployment, housing crisis and many other local and national problems.

So when the apostle Paul wrote in Romans 5, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, where in the world is that peace.

In John 14, as Jesus is telling His disciples that He will lay down His life for them, He tells them, "my peace I give you". If that is the case, where is that peace?

Jesus goes on to explain it a few verses later, "I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." and then explains further in in John 16. He tells His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Now that totally explains our world right now. In this world you will have trouble. What kind of trouble did He mean? He was referring to trouble like failed crops due to a drought or floods, financial failures, tropical storms, earthquakes, wars, death of loved ones and even watching your son get chemotherapy to fight his cancer.

So where in the world is the peace? The peace is in Jesus last statements in that verse, "But take heart" or as another version says, "be of good courage", for Jesus has already overcome the world. Our peace does not come from this world, it is in spite of this world.

We are learning each day that the peace of God is not dependant on our circumstances, but comes from our Hope in Him. Our peace is not in this world, it is in our hearts. Our prayer is that the peace that God has given us will cause those around us to see Him.

If your world is less than peaceful today, remember that God offers us His peace. Let His light shine through you today so that others will see Him in you.

On a side note, some of the guys from FBC Dalhart are climbing up Wheeler Peak, the tallest peak in New Mexico today. It was a trip that Josh and I had planned on going on together. Pray for their safety. They promised to take a moment and pray for Josh when they reached the summit.

Keep Ilene in your prayers today, she had an upset stomach this morning. We are trying to be careful not to get sick, because we don't want to expose Josh to anything.

We pray that you all have a good day. It is raining (a little) here in Houston.