Peace

"And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Colossians 3:15)

Aah, sitting by the fire with a good book on a cold winter's eve. Watching the sun set behind a steeple. Sitting on the beach alone, staring out over the lake. This is peace, truly.

Or is it? Is this the peace we are to give our hearts to, according to Paul? Romans 5:1 says that we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. And Jesus says, in John 14, "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." And, if our peace is found at the beach or by the fire, why would Paul begin most of his letters with "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ"?

Maybe our idea of peace is different from God's. Maybe God's idea of peace is better than ours, even. Here is a peace that comes from God, that reaches down deep, that has nothing to do with our circumstances and everything to do with our relationship with God. And it's a peace that should pervade everything we do and say and feel. As the world around us rocks us to our core, we can stand on a rock that is immovable and not be shaken. That rock is Christ; if we are in Him, He holds us steady.

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe." (Hebrews 12:28)