Peace Be With You
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27
ME: Jesus, I need to talk to You. I want some straight answers…well, at least clarification.
JESUS: What is on your mind?
ME: In Your Word, You mysteriously appeared and spoke to the distraught disciples who were hiding out in a big empty room. You said, “Peace be with you.” Did Your words immediately bring them peaceful or secure feelings?
JESUS: No, My beloved child. I had some explaining to do. The more I spoke softly to them, the more they were able to understand and internalize.
ME: This is just my opinion but most of us are not feeling very peaceful with everything that is being reported such as the sightings of strange unidentified flying objects. Where are they coming from and what are they doing? Yes, we are shooting them down, but there are so many unanswered questions. Then there is the mess between Russia and the Ukraine and so many lives lost in Turkey and Syria. I am not feeling much peace.
JESUS: Obviously, whatever earthly methods you are using to feel safe and relaxed are not working. So how about this: Bring Me your fears and concerns. Talk to Me. Stop trying to use the world’s peace to lean on.
ME: I am sure that You are working on all these things, and You have a good handle on history. But I am just a human being who wants what few years I have left to be peaceful ones.
JESUS: What makes you think you can’t have that? The world’s way of coping is taking a pill, a drink, foolish spending, stockpiling and acting like Chicken Little. That is not what I have called My children to do.
ME: What am I supposed to be doing?
JESUS: My Peace I leave with you. The world leaves you nothing. You can have My Peace even in the darkest of circumstances. No one can take it away from you. Tell Me that you accept My Peace and what you are actually saying is this: I trust You.
ME: I do trust You… mostly.
JESUS: Good, then at the very least help others find what you have. Your trust and peace will grow. Trust Me!
Loving Lord, we long for Your perfect Peace which can only come from You. Help us to bring our fears and concerns to You and place all our trust in You. AMEN.