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The Quest for Peace

JESSICA ROAN | GUEST Lately, it seems as though I am on an endless quest for peace. I find myself attempting to recreate my most peaceful experiences, like the summer I worked at Yellowstone Lake or the visits our family took to our local park when our town was still small and less populated than it is now. What exactly am I searching for? The dictionary defines “peace” as “freedom from disturbance; tranquility.” Is that what I’m seeking? Absolutely. Now, I know that retreating to these beloved places will not rid my world of “disturbances,” but watching the virgin crystal blue waves or visiting the spot where my once little boys played brings a sense of calm in an otherwise disturbing world. Whether it is challenging personal relationships, an ever-rising crime rate, pervasive government corruption, or endless wars and rumors of wars, the world is full of anything but peace.   Peace is Biblical I must ask myself: Is it wrong for me to want peace in my life? After John the Baptist was beheaded, Jesus “withdrew” to a “desolate” place (Matt. 14:13). In Mark 3 and Luke 9, he “withdrew” with his disciples. Apparently, Jesus sought peace amidst his busy ministry of preaching, teaching, and healing. When Jesus taught about prayer, he encouraged the disciples to “go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matt. 6:6). Psalm 46:10 commands us to “Be still, and know that I am God” Searching for peace can’t be all wrong, then, can it? If God wants us to retreat to pray and “be still,” the quest for solitude can have a purpose. But what is that purpose? God’s Peace is Different from the World’s While it is difficult for me to imagine a place more peaceful than Yellowstone Lake at midnight, or the Beartooth Mountains once the summer visitors have left, God’s peace transcends even the most peaceful places in his creation. While trying to explain to his disciples how he had to leave them and send his Holy Spirit, he comforts them by saying, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (Luke 14:27). Similarly, as Paul instructs the church at Philippi, he includes, “. . . 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” (Phil. 4:6-7). No matter how hard we try, we can’t replicate the peace of God. It does not come from the physical solitude we crave or an absence of screaming children, endless chores, long hours at work, or the challenge of being in relationships with other sinful people. It comes from God alone and can occur on a hike in the mountains or even in the chaos of a busy life...

The Quest for Peace2023-12-18T15:09:37+00:00

Take Heart

JAMYE DOERFLER|GUEST In general, I don’t recommend paying close attention to the words written inside a bathroom stall. Twenty years ago, I made an exception to that rule. In one of the women’s bathrooms at the seminary where I worked, someone had posted a Bible verse on the inside of each stall door. On that day, I happened to pick the stall with John 16:33: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (NIV) I’m sure I’d read that verse plenty of times before, but in that moment, seeing it isolated, I was struck more profoundly, and it’s stayed with me since. Let’s look at it closely. “I have told you these things...” The “these things” Jesus refers to is a long monologue He just gave to his disciples, known as “The Farewell Discourse,” recorded in John 13-17. Shortly before his death, Jesus taught them what they would need to know in his absence. Some of the themes of that teaching included the sending of the Holy Spirit, Jesus’ promise to return in the future, and what it means to abide in him. “...so that in me you may have peace.” The word “peace” conjures up a spirit that isn’t afraid, a mind that doesn’t ruminate on negative thoughts, a heart that isn’t distraught. The Lord has allowed humans to discover ways to calm anxious minds through various means, and I don’t discount them—I myself have benefited from therapy. However, Jesus offers his followers access to a different kind of peace. By providing for the forgiveness of our sins, He offers us peace with the Father. The peace that comes from the assurance of salvation and the promise of Heaven supersedes the peace offered by human means...

Take Heart2023-08-15T13:18:08+00:00

Do You Hear the Bells of Christmas?

KATIE POLSKI|CONTRIBUTOR Henry Longfellow was one of the most widely known American poets in the 19th century. What’s not as well-known is a poem he wrote called, I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day which was eventually put to music and has since become a cherished Christmas hymn. What’s beautiful about this Christmas melody is the incredible story that led him to put his pen to paper on Christmas morning, 1863. The Story Behind the Song Henry and his beloved wife, Elizabeth, were married for 18 years and had six children. Tragedy struck when Elizabeth was attempting to seal an envelope with sealing wax, and her dress caught fire. Henry responded to his wife’s screams and attempted to extinguish the flames with his own body, but his attempts were in vain, and she died the next morning. The burns left on Henry’s body were so bad that he was unable to attend his own wife’s funeral. Just two years later, Charles, his eldest son, left his home in Massachusetts to join Lincoln’s army, wanting to fight in the Civil War. On December 1st, 1863, Henry received the news that his son was severely injured due to a bullet hitting part of his spine. The news conveyed included the possibility of paralysis; regardless, Henry was informed, his son’s recovery would be long and difficult....

Do You Hear the Bells of Christmas?2023-03-24T17:46:00+00:00

Understanding Wisdom: Gentle and Open to Reason

CHRISTINA FOX|EDITOR It’s no secret that we live in a contentious age. You’d have to live off grid, in a cave, on an island, on another planet to escape the near constant mudslinging found on social media, podcasts, talk-shows, and anywhere else people gather to voice their thoughts. People have strong opinions about many things, and even more than that, will degrade the character and disregard those who differ. The ultimate line in the sand is when people refuse to associate with anyone who holds an opposing view. It's become an us-versus-them kind of world. We group off into tribes of those who agree with our philosophies and convictions, against those who don’t—and never the twain shall meet. It seems like the hills we are willing to die on grow each day, making common ground nearly impossible to find. And what about Christians? We are just as involved in this assumption-making and disdain-casting world. Our arguments may differ from the culture—thought not always—but we use the same tactics. More often than not, our desire is to win an argument, rather than to understand the person with whom we disagree. What does wisdom have to say in all this?...

Understanding Wisdom: Gentle and Open to Reason2023-03-24T17:51:33+00:00

Understanding Wisdom: Pure and Peace-Loving

MARIA CURREY|CONTRIBUTOR Understanding wisdom is a lifelong journey, a walk that requires well placed steps and a steady gaze on Jesus as the perfect guide.  Sometimes a verse captivates our minds and gives greater purpose to our steps in pivotal ways. James 3:17 is such a verse for me. Born out of a challenging time, one fraught with self-doubt and dire challenges, these words captured my mind nearly twenty-six years ago, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.”  The place was Washington DC where our family was young, busy, growing, and moving frequently.  My ambitions to love, serve, and lead for our Lord were strong, bold, and highly motivated—until large walls of challenge slammed into my heart. I remember praying, crying, and wondering how I would navigate one particular situation. Then James 3:17 came into view. Having read it many times before, it was as if I was encountering it for the first time.  Each word sounded with significance echoing in the chambers of my soul...

Understanding Wisdom: Pure and Peace-Loving2023-03-24T17:51:46+00:00

John 16: A Perfect Peace

BETHANY BELUE|GUEST It is 6:00 p.m. on a Friday night. The kitchen is a mess with dirty dishes scattered on the counter and crumbs blanketing the floor from a toddler who thinks throwing his food is funny. My hair is tied in a messy ponytail, and spit-up stains dot my shirt. My 19-month-old is running wild awaiting bath time while my two-month-old cries, ready for her last little nap before the end of the day. As I look around at this scene, with toys scattered everywhere and the sounds of young children filling the home, I can’t help but laugh. Although I’m living in my very own circus and a far cry from how I used to spend a Friday night, I laugh at how different my life is now and how peaceful my heart is in this moment of chaos. For all of us, the last few years have felt heavy, unnerving, and probably at times like living in a dramatic movie. Between a pandemic which has completely changed so much about our world, political divisions, racial unrest, and continual brokenness that fills our lives, we can all say we have faced tribulation. While all of these things have impacted my life personally, the biggest focus in my world has been the birth of two children in less than two years after years of struggling with infertility. These babies were prayed for, longed for, and still very much a surprise to us. In a short period of time, while the world around us changed dramatically, everything in our personal lives changed as we welcomed these two little lives into our family. As I navigate this new season that feels like I’m barely keeping my head above water, I surprisingly told a friend recently, “I think I may be more at peace now in this season than I've ever felt before.”

John 16: A Perfect Peace2023-03-24T17:57:50+00:00

John 16: Peace in Jesus

ALLISON VAN EGMOND | GUEST The world news blares updates about recent warfare. An email alert chimes with bad news from a doctor. A mom yells in frustration. A pastor is persecuted for speaking the truth. A teen is plagued with suicidal thoughts. A kid screams for attention. A couple quarrels regularly. A woman struggles with falling into the same sin. There are many daily concerns that threaten to steal our peace. Longing for Peace Our chaotic lives can cause us to feel overwhelmed and unsettled. We are surrounded by various forms of suffering. Sometimes in the midst of the turmoil in my own life, I dream about lounging on the beach with a book in my hand, a salty snack to nibble on, and the soothing sounds of the ocean around me. Perhaps you’ve had a similar daydream. When life seems to swirl in chaos around us, we tend to want to escape the noise. We dream about another world, another place where there are no demands on our attention, no noises filling our ears, no fears or sorrows filling our minds. We long for a break. A pause button. Peace and quiet.

John 16: Peace in Jesus2023-03-24T17:58:18+00:00

John 16: A Perfect Peace

JENNA TEACHEY | GUEST What comes to mind when you hear the word “peace”? It’s funny, but when I hear the word peace, I think about the movie Miss Congeniality.  It’s a cute comedy with Sandra Bullock starring as an FBI agent who goes undercover as a beauty pageant contestant. At the end of the movie, the final five contestants are asked, “What is the one most important thing our society needs?” They all say, “world peace” except for Bullock’s character who says society needs stronger punishment for parole violators. When she says it, the auditorium goes completely silent, and the crowd looks appalled and Bullock quickly adds, “and world peace.” The crowd then goes wild, cheering and applauding. It makes me chuckle every time I watch it. I recognize the movie is clearly making fun of the typical beauty pageant answer of “world peace.” But really, who doesn’t want world peace? Who in their right mind prefers war over peace? So, what exactly is this peace that we all want? Webster defines peace as a freedom from disturbance; a state in which there is no war. This definition of peace sounds awesome but the more I have pondered this, it also seems fleeting.

John 16: A Perfect Peace2023-03-24T17:58:57+00:00

We Need the Peace of Christ

BARBARANNE KELLY|CONTRIBUTOR We live in a world at war. On Thursday, February 23rd, we woke to the news that Russian bombs were falling in Ukraine. My first thought was for my precious new friend, Tatiana, whose parents were in Odessa, shocked at what was unraveling before their eyes and unsure how to (or even if they should) escape their war-torn nation. They never thought they would live to witness a full-scale invasion of their home. * As horrifying as war is, it’s nothing new. The Treaty of Paris could no more have stopped the Russian Invasion of Ukraine than the Treaty of Versailles stopped Hitler. And yet, as awful as this new war is, the horror unfolding in Ukraine simply mirrors the spiritual battle each and every one of us face each and every moment of our lives. We need peace, a peace that reaches to the inner recesses of our hearts, a peace that is true and lasting. We need the peace only Christ can give. The Peace of Christ On the night of his arrest, the disciples were tucked away with Jesus, sharing with him what they didn’t yet realize would be their final meal together before the fury and terror of the cross. But Jesus knew. Furthermore, Jesus knew where he was going, and he’d told his disciples repeatedly that he would be arrested, killed, and raised on the third day. Though they’d seen his miracles and believed with God-given faith that he is the Messiah, they still didn’t fully grasp what it all meant. They didn’t realize that David’s King of Zion (Psalm 2) and Isaiah’s Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) are one and the same. They didn’t understand all the implications of his Messianic mission, but Jesus knew that from the moment of his arrest they would desperately need his peace. So, he promised:

We Need the Peace of Christ2023-03-24T18:06:50+00:00

The Wonder and Joy of Advent

BARBARANNE KELLY|CONTRIBUTOR The anticipation of Christmas begins building earlier and earlier these days, doesn’t it? The past couple of years have been especially hard on us all, with the common hardships and losses of the pandemic combined with stridently divisive voices shouting at us from every source of media. Our fears and isolation magnified until we are numb. It’s no mystery why we start looking forward to the Christmas season even before the first leaf falls in autumn. Amid all the tumult and strife of our weary world, we long for peace. Bombarded by cynicism and sarcasm we seek for simple, childlike wonder. Drowning in heartache and pain, we hope, however faintly, for joy. Peace is the great need of mankind, but it won’t be found in the traditions and celebrations of a mid-winter holiday. Wonder doesn’t come wrapped in shiny paper and bows, and joy can’t be manufactured and ordered with one-day shipping. The Peace We Need Most The peace we need is a person—our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We need Jesus because the root of all our tumult and strife isn’t the wars that rage between peoples and nations, between political parties and factions, or even the strife between family members which drives loved ones apart. The source of our unrest is that we were born at war with God—enemies with our Creator. Because of the sin resident within our hearts, we cannot make peace on our own. We need the peacemaker. We need Jesus. During this Advent season, we anticipate the celebration of his birth, which was foretold by the prophets of old: But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days… And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth. And he shall be their peace. (Micah 5:2, 4–5a) True wonder wells up in us as we learn who this child is, born to Mary, wrapped in swaddling cloths, and laid in the manger: 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. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. (Isaiah 9:6–7) Very God of Very God Isaiah drew a strong prophetic sketch of the child who is Mighty God, the Everlasting One who will establish David’s throne and rule his kingdom of peace forevermore. The apostle Paul filled in the sketch with blazing colors: He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. (Colossians 1:15–20) This is the child who is born to us, the Son given to us. He is, as the creed so boldly declares: “very God of very God.” Our Creator humbled himself to be born of a virgin in order to reconcile to himself all things. The Son of God, born to bring peace by his death on the cross...

The Wonder and Joy of Advent2023-03-24T18:12:22+00:00
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