Peace. What do you think of when you hear that word? I don’t know about you, but I’m very visual with my thoughts. Typically the word evokes a vision of sitting on a quiet beach, or in a rocking chair on a mountain house porch, or a quiet spa day…basically anything or anywhere that I can escape responsibilities for a little while.
But is that really what peace is? Or is it maybe true that the “peace” the world sells us is actually just relaxation? (Which is also needed and very appreciated, don’t get me wrong!)
In August 2021, my son Paxton was born. It felt a bit ironic because while his name means “peace”, he came in the midst of a chaotic season. We had just built our first home, and with materials delayed, we weren’t able to move in until the day before he was born. Like I said, chaos. 0/10, do not recommend haha!
His birth was hard, our home life was hard, nursing him was hard, transitioning to life with 2 kids was hard, his sleep was hard, his health was hard, my hormones were hard, and my relationships were hard. It was a hard season, and in the midst of that hard season I discovered the truth that peace isn’t something external. I discovered that the peace I needed was already in my boat.
Mark 4 tells us about a time that Jesus and His disciples were crossing the sea. Jesus was asleep, and a huge storm came. The disciples totally freaked out. Rowing the boat was hard. Staying afloat was hard. Seeing through the rain was hard. Getting lost in the sea was hard. Everything was hard. They finally woke Jesus up and said “don’t you care that we’re going to die?!”
Let me just pause here. Do you ever feel that way when life is hard? “DOES ANYONE EVEN CARE THAT I FEEL LIKE I’M DYING INSIDE?” If you’ve felt that way, know you’re not alone. The people CLOSEST to Jesus felt that way! But they discovered the same thing I discovered in the midst of my storm…
They woke Jesus up in their panic, but He was the epitome of peace. He woke up, and with 3 simple words, the Peace in the boat commanded peace around the boat. You see peace doesn’t come from your circumstances. Peace comes from inside your boat.
Jesus tells us in John 16:33 “…in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart, I have overcome the world.”
He never promised an easy life, but He did promise us the victory.
He didn’t promise a life without storms, but He did send us a Comforter and a Guide. (John 14:16-17)
Whatever storms may come your way, just remember: no storm can steal your peace when your peace comes from Him!
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