Peace

 

We just came back from a restful mini-vacation at a friend’s home. Her place is nestled between water and mountains. It is one of the most peaceful places I know. I could sit out on her deck and stare at the water for hours (and almost did). The serene calm is mesmerizing.

Yet, up above her, in the mountains rages a huge forest fire. Firefighters have only been able to somewhat contain the fire. There are roads closed and favorite summer haunts prohibited due to the fire. We drove up to a more distant trailhead only to discover it was also closed due to fire/fire danger. We did enjoy the drive, especially the view from a bridge of multiple small falls cascading down a river. But around us hung smoke, a reminder that the fire was there.

Amazing how in the midst of inferno there are pockets of peace.

I think life is like that. Turmoil can be all around us and yet we can find ourselves in a spot of peace and solace. God promises us peace. He doesn’t promise the cessation of storms and troubles. The beautiful picture of the disciples in a little boat on a stormy sea, and Jesus walking towards them across the water. The storm was still blowing, but suddenly, predictably, Jesus was there. He calmed the storm, but first calmed the disciples. Another time He was in the boat with them and a storm blew up around them. Jesus was asleep. The disciples seemed to forget Who was with them, and Jesus called them on their lack of faith, after all, He was right there.

Storms and fires, wars and political upheaval will always be around us. For those of us who believe, God promises peace, a peace that passes understanding. We’ve all seen people who remain so calm in the midst of a traumatic event, such peace does pass understanding. How do they do that? For believers, the answer is Christ in us- our hope and our peace.

My problem, much like the disciples, is that I quite often forget He is here with me, ready to calm my fears and ride out the storm with me. After the fact, that forgetfulness seems so silly. I bet the disciples felt a bit silly too. It’s not really that I don’t trust God to keep his promises. It’s more that I forget to call out to Him, or think I can handle this situation, or just get too worked up to think straight. Often, in those situations, He steps in anyway, and His grace surrounds me even though I forgot He was there.

It was wonderful to be reminded that He is always with me, wanting to give me His peace, even as the fires burn in the hills above.