Knowing Peace

Thursday, January 6th, 2022

God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.

— C. S. Lewis

“Mere Christianity”

“…and it always bears the beautiful harvest of righteousness! Good seeds of wisdom’s fruit will be planted with peaceful acts by those who cherish making peace.”
James 3:18 (TPT)

Most of us, if we were to be asked “do you want peace?” Would answer with a hardy, “YES!” What is it specifically that, “PEACE” means to you?

I often go to a local park when I seek peace, I love the quiet and stillness of the landscape. I feel closer to God when I am surrounded by nature. The big and small trees with their branches stretching toward the sun, the song birds singing and the cardinals chasing one another from tree to tree. And, the lake, whether the water is still or slow dancing with the winds, it is captivating. It is here I find inner peace.

And, there is yet another peace I seek, external peace with others. I don’t like to fight or argue; however, when pressed or presented with a situation, I will often engage. I prefer to be a fixer or a negotiator especially with family and friends, I seriously want others to be happy and prosperous, to have peace.

Spiritual peace, I love to sit alone in an empty church sanctuary and just breathe it all it. I also find this kind of peace when sharing in conversations with individuals that challenge me to be the best version of myself. They encourage me to live into the person God created me to be. They excite my soul. I would be amiss if I did not mention spiritual peace through attending church services. My schedule makes it challenging to make it to morning services on Sunday’s. But, when I am able to attend in person, my whole being is nourished, both literally and figuratively. I love the fellowship time before and in-between services when coffee and goodies are available and catching up with friends is a must. Definitely the pandemic has squashed most of these activities that feed me. I hope we are rounding the counter to a brighter future at least where the pandemic is concerned.

I struggle with “peace on earth” it sounds beautiful in a song and in the Bible verses; I don’t believe true peace on earth is attainable without Jesus and His return with a new heaven and a new earth. Currently, the global state of affairs plainly said; is a mess! We have civil unrest around the globe, countries invading or planning to invade others to increase their areas of control, I’m guessing. Family members fighting one another over beliefs, ownership or for unknown reason other than they have always fought. One day it will all stop, and there will be no more chances for humankind to get it right; Jesus will return and every knee will bow and proclaim, Christ Jesus, Lord.

My HOPE is found in Jesus, I find real PEACE in Him. The way of true peace can only be found in Jesus, as your personal Savior. Rest in the peace that He alone provides.

“I leave the gift of peace with you—my peace. Not the kind of fragile peace given by the world, but my perfect peace. Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous!”
John 14:27 (TPT) lobP

~ Charlotte, Hope Seeker

References:

Greek “Hope Seeker” Translation: αναζητητής ελπίδας

Hebrew “Hope Seeker” Translation: מחפש תקווה

https://www.biblegateway.com/

(TPT) The Passion Translation https://www.biblegateway.com/

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionary/peace/?amp

https://www.biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/peace.html

365 Daily Devotions “I Hear His Whisper For Women” Brian Simmons (BroadStreet Publishing Group, LLC)