Your True ReflectionУзорак

You Have Peace:
The Greek word for “peace” is εἰρήνη (eirēnē). Most likely, it comes from the primary verb eiro, which means peace; by implication, prosperity, which means rest, in contrast to being in strife. It is a state of untroubled, undisturbed well-being.

Fear is the opposite of peace.

The Greek word μεριμνάω (merimnaó) means to be anxious, to fear, and to care for.

I love questions. Questions uncover those things that are hidden and urge others to think. Jesus has freely given you the greatest answer to life’s most important question. Keep reading!

Do you know the first question Jesus asked when His ministry began? I throw this question out all the time. Years ago, I actually did a study on all the questions that Jesus asked, and what I found was compelling.

What was His first question?

Let’s set the stage: Jesus’s cousin John the Baptist meets Jesus in the Jordan River to baptize Him. Out of heaven the skies open and a dove comes down to descend upon Jesus. With a booming voice from heaven God, proclaims, “This is my beloved son, with whom I am well pleased!”(Matthew 3:17) What a scene! Could you imagine being there? The crowd was buzzing with the thought of who this man was. Many of his future followers were there curiously investigating the scene.

The next day Jesus is walking away, and two guys (John and his brother Andrew) are starting to follow behind Him. Jesus hears them and turns to ask, “What are you looking for?” and they said to Him, ‘Rabbi [which translated means teacher], where are You staying?’”

His response was simply, “Come, and you will see” (John 1:38, NASB). He invites them on a journey—in reality, it was an adventure.

So, think about it. If Jesus asks a question, you better believe there’s a good reason for it. He has never spoken arbitrary words in any conversation He has ever had. He has always been intentional.

So, what are people looking for at their core? What are you ultimately looking for? I believe the answer is found in Romans 8:5-6 (NASB):

For those who are in accord with the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are in accord with the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.

So, there it is. Every person is ultimately looking for two things: life (or an adventure with God) and peace. Peace is the result of life. Peace is what we all ultimately want and need. Peace is the end result of surrendering your entire life over to God. He is the only one who grants peace because the kind of peace He wants for us goes far beyond human comprehension. And it’s yours! “And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7, NASB).

So, God states in Ephesians that He is our Peace. Peace is what God longs for us to experience, in every circumstance, in every situation. God is the only One who can grant peace because it defies human nature. Most of us are looking to escape the pressures life brings.

Money, sex, addictive substances, work, fun adventures, and our cell phones all are human efforts to find peace because they distract us from our pain. God enters in and brings peace to any circumstance because if we can somehow embrace the reality that He loves us, is in total control, and has our best interest in mind, we don’t need to worry or fear (the two opposing emotions to peace).

When I was in college, I was overwhelmed with the many things I was facing, such as what major to choose and what career to pursue. I was burdened with the fear of making the wrong decision. Then God sent me to Psalm 131:1-3 (NIV) to give me a perfect depiction of what peace looks like:

Oh Lord my heart is not proud, Lord, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child I am content. Israel, hope in the Lord both now and forevermore.

That passage gave me such peace: a picture of a child resting on her mother’s chest. Recently, after a full day of activity, my two-year-old granddaughter fell asleep, lying on my shoulder. It was a picture of complete innocence, total safety, and peace. I delighted in how she trusted me so completely and was comforted by sleeping on her grandfather. This is God’s plan for you! Rest and be at peace, my friends; that is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus!

Let me leave you with a few final verses to drive the message of peace home. Jesus assures us in John 16:33 (ESV), “I have said these things to you that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world,”and then again in John 14:27 (NASB), “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, nor fearful.”