Before the Cross: Fruit of the SpiritUzorak

Fruit of the Spirit: Peace

What does peace look like for you?

For example, when summer seasons draw near, for many it will look like a vacation.

Photos on social media will show a family dressed in color-coordinated gear, maybe against a backdrop of an ocean or the mountains.

Nothing will be mentioned about the crying from a toddler or teen when told to put on a crisp white shirt or dress, the crying from the mother when said white shirt or dress was soon covered in juice (or who-knows-what else), or the crying from the father when he learned he had to dress up in a white shirt on vacation.

Though the photo seems to say “We’ve found peace”, the truth remains.

Life is messy. If it weren’t, we’d enjoy more peace.

Whatever you believe brings you peace today, whether it’s a vacation, a relationship, working out or reading a book – you’ve probably realized that peace is short-lived.

It’s difficult not to reenter the fray of the distracting and the disturbing.

Whether you get your news from social media, television or that old thing called the radio, it doesn’t take long to see how quickly peace can erode.

Each of us longs for everlasting peace, yet we don’t get it when we seek it from the world around us.

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:6-7

True Peace Comes From God

Have you ever thought that peace isn’t meant for you alone?

If we seek out peace for our own sake, we may end up robbing somebody else of peace.

This leads to strife, war, envy, jealousy – you name it, when we seek out our own good at the expense of others, peace will not exist.

We benefit to remember true peace is made by God and exists for God.

In a relationship with God we are promised we have all that we need.

It is the sin, the bad stuff in us that causes us to think we need more than God.

When we look outside of Him for the answers to our peace, we come up empty each time.

We get it backward when we think that God wants us to have peace for our own sake and don’t realize that the peace God offers us in a relationship with him can help bring peace to others.

"Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another,agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you." - 2 Corinthians 13:11

A Peaceful Purpose

What is disrupting peace for you today?

Are you not getting something what you want? Is somebody not doing what you want him or her to do? Are things not going according to your plan?

You can have peace today knowing your plan doesn’t have to work.

There is an eternal plan much higher than yours and much more detailed and complex. You may play a different role in that plan than you possibly know with limited scope and information.

Ask God for peace that will take the burden off your shoulders and mind and on to His.

Resting in the peace that you don’t have to figure it out will allow you to be the peaceful person that can impact others and draw them to a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. When others realize where the source of your peace comes from, they just might be interested to know more.

"Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” - Matthew 11:28-30

A Picture of Peace

Anybody who has attempted a family photo in a serene setting knows it takes multiple snaps of the camera to get the “right one”. Don’t be afraid to share the messy ones, the wind-whipped hair in the face, the juice-covered kid, the double chin or any other imperfection.

Chances are somebody might benefit more to see that.

It reminds us peace and perfection isn’t found in this world.

However, there is eternal supply to look forward to.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." - Isaiah 9:6