Unattainable Peace vs. Perfect Peace

Peace. It’s something I’ve blogged about before, but it’s something I’ve come to learn a lot more about recently, so here I am at it again.

Ever since Adam and Eve sinned in the garden there has been a certain level of unrest in God’s creation. Sometimes that level decreases, and sometimes it increases dramatically, like in times of war. But one thing we can be sure of, until Jesus returns there will be no universal peace. People will always be at odds with one another, that’s just how it is. We are fallen people living in a fallen world.

There is however a perfect peace that we can experience on this earth, and that is the individual peace God offers to all of His children. In Isaiah 26:3 it says, “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” The perfect peace being talked about in that verse is an inner rest and lack of turmoil. It’s a calm that enters your soul and allows you to stop worrying, comparing yourself to others, and seeking control.

The end of the verse says that it comes “because he trusts in you”. When we give God control of the reins and simply trust in Him, He puts our hearts at rest. Even when we don’t know what the future holds, we can have peace. Our part is to keep our mind “stayed on [Him]”, and His part is to give us peace. If we do our part, we can be sure He will do His because God is faithful and always keeps His promises. 

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:45 [NIV]

My Heart's Desire

As you can probably tell from my lack of blogging presence, I’ve been pretty busy lately. From preparing for vacation and being away (on vacation), to working and trying to get all that I possibly can out of my summer, I’ve been active to say the least. Another thing that has been quite active recently (maybe hyperactive sometimes) has been my brain. I’ve been in a season of much learning and soaking up of God’s Word and His truths for my life. On one hand, I had been feeling like I needed to take a break from teaching others about God and His Word and just become a full-time student of Him. But on the other hand, I felt like I had so many new truths to share. Now I feel sufficiently refreshed, renewed, and ready to begin sharing what God has been teaching me.

One lesson I learned came as quite a surprise to me. I’ve been doing a lot of reading lately, and most of the books I’ve been reading have been fictional novels. I know. I’m well aware that there are many other things I could be reading that would probably be more beneficial, but before you judge me let me just say that God can use anything as a tool to teach us.

As I was reading through my Christian fiction, and came upon yet another happily ever after, I began thinking to myself… I wish I were like a character in one of these novels. They don’t have to worry about anything. Even though some conflict is present, the author skillfully deals with it and works it out perfectly. Even though the character doesn’t always know it, everything is going to turn out okay in the end. Why can’t my life be like that? I want someone to craft my story and work out all the details so that I know my ending will be happily ever after too.  I allowed myself a little time for pity until I realized something. Something BIG. Something I knew deep down but just forgot. Something it took a fictional novel to remind me. Something God was trying to teach me through this seemingly insignificant read. That something was the truth that I am like a character in one of those books! Not only is my story being written by an author, it is being written by the God of the universe! I don’t have to worry about anything. Even though I will have to deal with conflict in my life, I know that God will take care of it all for my good and His glory. Even though sometimes it doesn’t feel like it, everything will work out for good in the end. I will have a happy ending because God is the Author of my life. My heart had desired something that was less than what I already have. This is a lesson I won’t soon forget.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 [NIV]