Peace is a gift with a deeper connection. We often take peace for granted, especially in our country and in our daily lives. It is natural to expect to live in peace; and, often, it is not until turmoil ensues that we realize our peace has been stolen from us.
Peace is the status quo and the innate, all natural means by which we should live our lives.
Do you feel responsible to create peace? Is peace omnipresent, but covered with darkness in times we are not experiencing peace? Where does peace originate?
We will get to these questions later, but I want to begin with a different exercise this month.
Let’s start with a brief moment of personal contemplation. Close your eyes after you read the steps below and spend 2-3 minutes thinking about your answer. Stay focused and think deeply.
Begin by picking a person, situation or environment that exudes or exuded a sense of peace for you. Picture yourself in the moment with this person, picture yourself in the situation or in the environment.
What was it about this person, situation or environment that made you feel a sense of peace? Something happened that yielded a sense of peace, and you want to reveal what it was, and why it happened.
After 2-3 minutes with your eyes closed examining these questions, open your eyes and write down in 3-4 sentences describing what peace feels like to you. Was it felt deep inside, did it present itself on your face - describe it in detail.
Just pause now, and complete this exercise.
We can all agree peace is a feeling. Peace is also a thing, for example, world peace. It is also exchanged at church - to represent love. For our purposes now, we will concentrate on the feeling of peace.
In the book of John, we learn that in this world we will have tribulation, but in God we have peace. In other words, He reminds us He has overcome the world; therefore, peace is something we will always find in Him.
Peter wrote we must turn from evil and do good, seeking peace.
Jesus relies on us to do our part, to do our best to live at peace with everyone (and everything).
Earlier I asked if you feel responsible for creating peace?
The answer should be a ‘peaceful’ yes.
In other words, it can feel stressful to be the peacemaker. However, lay this work at His feet and He will help you achieve peace so that you are not alone in your work. The Lord will help establish peace for us. He is a God of mercy and love. Out of mercy and love comes peace. In order to create peace, we must be merciful and loving.
I also asked if peace is omnipresent? I believe God is love, and therefore peaceful. In Romans, we learn "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you."
Peace is trampled by the evil that lurks on earth.
Peace is never impossible, or completely gone. In fact, even in the middle of war, we can find peace and refuge in prayer and quiet time with Jesus. In moments where you seek peace, consider replicating our 2–3-minute exercise with your focus solely on Jesus.
And now, to answer the question - peace is omnipresent because God is omnipresent. No matter the situation or person, God will crush Satan under your feet, if you ask Him and spend quiet time with Him.
My last question was: where does peace originate? I hope by this point, you see peace originates with our Heavenly Father. It is what He desires for you.
He offers us peace, and to Him we give thanks for creating what peace feels like in us. It is an internal feeling created by the power of the Holy Spirit. Relish in the sensation of peace, and praise God for enabling us the power to turn inward at any time for peace and everlasting love.
May God bless you, and grant peace upon you and your family. And, as we anticipate the resurrection and Easter celebration, may it be a symbol of how the Prince of Peace “gives strength to his people, and blesses his people with peace.”
Carry this peace forward, and share this message with those around you. If we all focused on this peace, I imagine we could make a great difference in the world.