If you should ever journey to Israel, the first greeting you will hear is “Shalom”—peace be with you.
Occasionally, we sing the chorus,
I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river, I’ve got peace like a river in my soul.
As is often said of the Christ follower, peace is not just the absence of conflict or war; it is the presence of peace in your soul. Having the Spirit’s “peace fruit” means you have a sense of harmony and tranquility, a rest in your soul despite any chaos in your life. Our awareness and benefit of this peace is once again dependent on staying connected to the “vine,” Jesus.
At times, we become overwhelmed with work loads, responsibilities, activities, and expectations which crowd out peace. Unresolved issues and worry, fretfullness and bitterness also serve as enemies to our peace.
As we allow the Holy Spirirt to grow our inner peace, it provides us a place to go when the wild, windy storms of life try to overpower and bring defeat. I heard a beutiful illustration of this very thing.
Once there was a king who offered a prize to the artist who could paint the best picture of peace. Many artists submitted their masterpieces, but the king narrowed it down to two paintings. One picture had a calm lake that mirrored beautiful mountains complete with fluffy white clouds in a pale blue sky. Many thought this was a perfect picture of peace.
The second picture had rugged. bare mountains with angry, dark clouds and torrential rain. A foaming waterfall rushed down the mountain. This did not look peaceful at all, but then, the king noticed a bush behind the waterfall. In the bush, a mother bird had built a nest. There in the midst of angry waters, the mother bird sat on her nest, protecting her babies—a picture of perfect peace.
The king chose the second picture.
A tip—when you feel overwhelmed, stop, close your eyes, and breathe deeply. Inhale the Spirit, exhale anxiety. Try it right now. Eyes closed, breathe deep, say in your mind, “Inhale the Spirit, exhale anxiety.” “Inhale the Spirit, exhale anxiety.” Memorize it, practice it.
Peace is not a place, it is a person, Jesus Christ. While Jesus was at a dinner, a sinful woman wept and washed his feet with her tears. Jesus said,
“Your sins are forgiven. Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” Luke 7:50
Jesus explained things to his disciples before he was crucified.
“The counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send you in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. “ John 14:26-27
When Jesus appeared to His diciples after the crucifixion, the first thing He said was,
“Peace be with you.” John 20:19
Inhale the Spirit (of peace), exhale anxiety.
Shalom.
~ Joyce ~