“Come to me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28
HE is our peace.
Not my husband, as cute as he is. Nor my children, even though I love them dearly. Not my checking account when it reaches a certain level. Not my house when it’s picked up, or my dinner when it’s hot. Not my long list of accomplishments, nor my even longer list of failures. Not that crisp piece of paper showing my degree and all the credentials. Not the number of friends in my contact list or the comments on my Facebook page. Not that warm fuzzy feeling that fills me from my eyebrows to my toes when everything seems right with the world. No other person, possession, emotion or situation has even come close. HE is our peace.
He IS our peace.
Not was, as in “back then” when I laid in a crib trusting my mom and dad to bring me a bottle and pull the blankets up under my chin. Not back in the day when my biggest worry was whether or not to wear flip flops or tennis shoes to my friend’s house. Not those days in Christian college when I carried a Bible to class and memorized scripture for a calling I hadn’t yet realized. Not even four years from now, when my final child graduates from highschool. Or 20 years from now when our retirement account might start showing a little promise. Not in my twilight years, when time becomes abundant and dreams become reality. The I AM was the I AM in my crib, while I walked to grade school, and when that day of my final breath finally comes. He is our peace, as in the sum total of every moment that ever was, is or will be. He IS our peace.
He is OUR peace.
Not mine, to hoard or flaunt to the envy of others. Not yours, so I look with longing, as an outsider who wonders what she lacks. Not those who lived in a different time, when the sandaled feet of a Savior walked with His chosen ones. And not reserved those those who are yet to come, those who will change the world with their words and influence and power. His is peace for all, not reserved for the most deserving. Not withheld from those who need it. It’s a gift offered without prejudice, preference or particulars, best savored in solitude, but celebrated in community. In all our differences, it unites. He is OUR peace.
He is our PEACE.
Not our salvation, although He’s been said to be that and so much more. Not Master or Lord, although both hold true. Not just our Ruler, Transformer, Redeemer or Savior. He is all of those, and yet none of those in and of themselves. Who He is cannot be contained in a single word, can not be described in all the words the human language has ever known. And though He could’ve chosen one and left it at that, the Jehovah, the unspeakable One, the One Who Was and Is and Is To Come, decided we needed more than a Way to Him. We needed a way to endure until then.
He is our PEACE.
Hallelujah.
“But now in Christ Jesus, you who were once far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace.” ~ Ephesians 2:13-14
This is an excerpt from August’s “Infusion,” my free monthly newsletter delivered at the first of every month. Need a little infusion? Sign up by clicking on the registration link on the home page.
Great post Michele. So very true!!
Just the thought feels like a deep breath …
Loved it! The way you highlighted and described each word – very creative and fun to read! Just finished my post this afternoon for Friday’s blog. Started off talking about weariness… ended with God’s Peace. Must be a message He wants everyone to hear this week 🙂
Thanks, Donna. He has encouraged me so much with his promise of PEACE. I hope you’re basking in it today!
He is our peace, yet often we choose to NOT let Him be our peace, we choose worry and anxiety instead. Today I choose His peace.
It seems to be easier, more automatic, to choose worry and anxiety. But the cost is significantly higher. Peace is exactly what we need. Thanks for sharing your heart, Gail. 🙂