“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (John 14:27, NLT).
I just love this verse. I also love the peace which it portrays. To me, it's not the peace that happens when all the bills have been paid and there is money left over, or the peace I feel when the kids are tucked into bed and still for the night. Not even the peace I experience on a day when there is nothing I "have" to do.
To me, the peace He describes is the calm in the midst of the storm. The peace that transcends all understanding. It is the peace that I felt when I had no idea what was going to happen in my marriage. I wasn't sure I would be able to survive outside of it. Unfortunately, I was not sure I would survive within it either.
But, the peace itself isn't the part of this that I love so much. Today, it is the reminder that this gift is one that the world can't give. I won't find this peace in worldly things. No matter how hard I try, or how deeply I search for it. I'd be trying and searching in the wrong place.
It's so opposite what the world would have us believe. I mean - c'mon, as soon as I lose fifteen pounds or have a bigger house, nicer stuff, more money, THEN, I'll have made it and can experience this peace... right? uhm. No. The peace He promises doesn't come from the world.
It kinda freaks me out a little, knowing that most of what the world gives me as a barometer to measure "How I'm Doing", is wrong. Thus, the last sentence, "so don't be troubled or afraid" is exactly what I need to hear.
Thank You for this gift of peace. For loving us enough to come.... and leave.... and come again.
Have a "Good Friday", everyone....
I just love this verse. I also love the peace which it portrays. To me, it's not the peace that happens when all the bills have been paid and there is money left over, or the peace I feel when the kids are tucked into bed and still for the night. Not even the peace I experience on a day when there is nothing I "have" to do.
To me, the peace He describes is the calm in the midst of the storm. The peace that transcends all understanding. It is the peace that I felt when I had no idea what was going to happen in my marriage. I wasn't sure I would be able to survive outside of it. Unfortunately, I was not sure I would survive within it either.
But, the peace itself isn't the part of this that I love so much. Today, it is the reminder that this gift is one that the world can't give. I won't find this peace in worldly things. No matter how hard I try, or how deeply I search for it. I'd be trying and searching in the wrong place.
It's so opposite what the world would have us believe. I mean - c'mon, as soon as I lose fifteen pounds or have a bigger house, nicer stuff, more money, THEN, I'll have made it and can experience this peace... right? uhm. No. The peace He promises doesn't come from the world.
It kinda freaks me out a little, knowing that most of what the world gives me as a barometer to measure "How I'm Doing", is wrong. Thus, the last sentence, "so don't be troubled or afraid" is exactly what I need to hear.
Thank You for this gift of peace. For loving us enough to come.... and leave.... and come again.
Have a "Good Friday", everyone....
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