Thursday, June 11

"Better a dry crust with peace and quiet

   than a house full of feasting with strife." (Proverbs 17:1)

Solomon's Proverbs echo through 3,000 years and speak into our present day.  Even with all our technological progress, the pain of relational disconnections still bites and holds onto us.

Why do "peace and quiet" elude us?  Perhaps it emerges from our passionate pursuit of "something greater" and our willingness to sacrifice relationships and our own health to find it.  Perhaps it comes from a love of drama and the emotional roller-coaster it brings.  Maybe we are hungry for attention from friends and family and have calculated that commotion will keep us at the center of others' conversations.  Maybe we are indeed longing for peace and quiet, but we have associated it with the wrong sources.

In the view of the Scriptures, we understand that peace is ultimately a gift from God.  We find peace through a right relationship with God, secured through the shed blood of Jesus Christ (Romans 5:1).  The Holy Spirit, sent to us as our Counselor and Helper, brings forth peace as His fruit in our transformed lives (Galatians 5:22,23).  We can maintain peace through an active prayer life and trusting God with difficult situations (Philippians 4:6,7).  We carry our peace into the Church, as members of one body and called to peace (Colossians 3:15).

This world has much trouble, as Jesus promised:  "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." (John 16:33)

From the peace of Christ, we may sow seeds of peace-making.  As followers of Christ, we have the privilege of making peace out of our security in Christ.  Making peace strengthens our faith and helps us to "reap a harvest of righteousness."

How would you rate your peace level?  Why do you find yourself at that level?  How could you grow in experiencing the peace of Christ this week?

Lord God, thank You for bringing Your peace into our lives through the work of Christ.  Help us to embrace and show gratitude for Your peace.  Give us opportunity to bring peace into even challenging situations.  Make us co-laborers with You in the redemption of a broken and hurting world.  In Jesus's mighty Name, amen.