To Live is Christ — in perfect peace

A friend with four children used to say after a particularly noisy day, “Oh for the peace of the grave.” Yet she chuckles because she knows, as do I, that peace is more than absence of noise.

While pastoral scenes may come to mind, one painter depicted peace as a bird in its nest tucked in the hollow of a rock, safe from the storm raging around it. Peace is more internal than external.

Isaiah describes it as being mindful of God — in total trust. When that happens, peace happens. 

You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)

Stayed. Resting there. Focused. It takes years to learn how to do that, or at least it has taken me years. The key, I now realize, is not being able to meditate (although that is also a challenge), but in the last part of the verse. I can be at peace only when I am also trusting God. Peace and trust are deep and true companions.

Think of the child who falls asleep in his mother’s arms. He has no worries. Mother will keep him safe. He knows that she loves him and wants the very best for him. He trusts her and is at peace.

God is like that. He promises peace for trust everywhere. My favorite New Testament verse about peace says,

Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6–7)

Again, the peace comes when trust is there. Take my concerns to Him, believing that He hears me and that He cares about my problems, trusting Him to do something about them. Then in exchange for my bundle of woes He gives me peace.

And perfect peace is a gift, not something that I can conjure up myself. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

The world can offer silence, solitude, and if not that, tranquilizers and distractions. Only Jesus can give this peace that removes anxiety and fear from my heart. He can do it because He is God and because He loves me. He quite willingly shoulders my problems; He can handle them.

My part? Giving them up seems obvious, but I cannot do that unless I certain that He will do His part. That is what takes time to learn. Or maybe it is what faith is like when it grows up. As that happens, the next thing to do is “Let the peace of God rule in my heart . . . and be thankful” (Colossians 3:15).

Today peace rules — because He rules — and today I am thankful.