Peace is Available
At Christmas time, as we jostle for the best deals, stockpile presents in secret drawers and contemplate the enormous list of Christmas cards to write, there seems to be little time for peace. The idea of talking about ‘peace’ at a time like this may seem ridiculous. Peace will come later. But of course our need for peace is much more profound than that. It’s not about grabbing a quick cup of tea while everyone’s out, or putting your feet up for five minutes in the staff break room, precious as those moments are. Real peace comes when we are completely secure, no matter what challenges life throws at us.
Where is peace when we are told we have cancer, when you lose your job, when a parent or child dies? Is there a way not to be defeated by such big issues?
Too often people think of rest and peace in terms of advertised holidays, lying on a sunny beach doing little. But in reality our need for peace is much more profound than that.
A patient in the Lister hospital was dying of advanced cancer yet she clearly had great peace and had a lovely smile whenever anyone visited her. A teaching ward round was taking place, with students, nurses and junior doctors present. They came to her bed.
“When am I going home?” she asked the consultant with her usual smile.
“Alice, you wouldn’t be able to cope on your own at home?”
“No, I don’t mean that,” she replied with another smile, “I mean when am I going home to be with my Father in heaven?”
There was once a competition for artists to paint a picture with the title ‘Peace.’ Most entries depicted beautiful mountain ranges or coastal scenes. The classic restful images that come to mind. In contrast the winning entrant portrayed a large cascading waterfall, furiously spouting water onto the rocks below. In the foreground, however, was a thrush, sitting on a branch over the waterfall and singing away. The artist recognised that real peace is a peace of mind that overcomes life’s external problems. Does this sound too good to be true? It’s really not.
Just prior to his crucifixion and subsequent resurrection, Jesus told his disciples about the difficulties they would face when he returned to his heavenly Father. Yet he promised to give them his peace.
“Peace I leave 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
This peace, that God wants everyone to experience, can be understood in two ways,
Peace with God.
We are given this when all our sin has been forgiven by asking Jesus Christ to take responsibility for them. Sin is the attitude of mind that says,
“Shove off God. I’m in charge. No to what you want.”
To enter into a relationship with God through Christ means a reverse of this - God is now in charge and this relationship gives us eternal security.
Peace of God
Because Christians have an assured relationship with God and know that he is in charge of everything that happens to us, we need never be anxious. The Bible teaches God’s people,
“Do not be anxious about anything . . . and the peace of God which passes all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6
Of course this doesn’t stop us having wobbles! We’re human. We have the same panics over certain toys being out of stock or the oven breaking down on Christmas Eve, but when we remind ourselves of God’s control and power in our lives, we are able to regain our peace.
A major purpose of a church should be to point people to the joy they can experience through having a relationship with God; a peace and joy that can overcome all problems. Please come and investigate by joining us for a service or a Christianity Explored group. We would love to welcome you and share God’s Peace.
BVP
