“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Your heart must not be troubled or fearful.”
John 14:27 HCSB
“He must seek peace and pursue it”
1 Peter 3:11b HCSB
Why are we always striving for something? We’re aiming for a new goal or a better experience. It’s easy to believe we’ll find peace once we accomplish the next big thing. Only then will we be able to stop and rest.
What if, instead, we started pursuing God’s peace?
Shortly before Jesus died on the cross, He spoke to those around Him sharing that He gives us peace, but not like worldly “peace”. He says with God’s peace, our hearts should not be troubled or fearful.
Yet today, that peace can seem distant and unattainable. It’s not natural for most of us. How can we keep up with everything we’re doing, catch up on all the information around us, and still find time to rest in this peaceful promise?
The truth is that we have to begin pursuing it. We were told to “Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy” (Exodus 20:8a). We don’t live under the law now, but under grace. We can begin by intentionally setting aside some time, even a few hours. In this time, you refrain from work and striving. You spend your time in quiet rest and in activities you enjoy. And you share some of that space with the Lord. Not out of responsibility, but out of a grateful heart connection.
Just as we’re called to manage our finances and physical bodies as stewards of the Lord, we are to care for our hearts, minds, and spirits.
When we purposefully spend time pursuing God’s peace on a spiritual level, we may even find the clarity we’ve been seeking in other areas of our lives.
PRAYER: Dear Lord, thank You for giving us the gift of peace. At times, we wear our “badge of busy” and neglect to take time to rest with You. Please help us to pursue peace with You. In Christ’s name, Amen.
Journal: What are you pursuing? How can you create some time for peace this week?