True Peace

Jesus says something interesting in this verse. He mentions a certain way that the world gives things to us…namely “peace”.

Physically speaking, the world has a lot to offer. Whatever thing “trips your trigger” in life, the world has a thousand varieties of it. One of those things for me is automobiles. I was watching one of my favorite shows last weekend: the Barrett-Jackson auto auction in Scottsdale, Arizona.

I was watching our kitchen television intensely while making dinner. “Look at this car, honey,” I said while sautéing sausage and peppers. A beautifully restored Chevelle Supersport was gleaming before me, its hood propped open to reveal a supercharged big block V8 engine. “It has over 700 horsepower!” I almost flipped a sizzling sausage out of the pan in excitement.

My wife peeked her head around the hallway corner and sighed for the third time, “That’s nice…but I have things to get done before dinner.” She disappeared as I continued googling those shiny steel classics.

Those cars did nothing for her, but hit something inside me. They pleased my eyes. They excited my flesh. I wanted to grip the steering wheel on an abandoned runway and rev that machine LOUUUDLY…then I wanted to lean back, grin like a madman, and bury the gas pedal for a straight mile at least. My heart would pound! My hair would fly! My knuckles would be perfectly white, as they should be well over 100 mph! It was a beautiful daydream for a few seconds.

Ten minutes later I turned the television off and had sausage and peppers with my wife. We prayed and read a chapter from the Bible per our custom, then relaxed before bed…and you know what? That was FAR better than my adrenalized daydream.

I can’t focus on the “pretty things” in the world…most are too expensive, too fleeting, off limits, ungodly, or a waste of time…and they cannot offer lasting peace.

I can’t keep up with the wars, the politics, the personalities, or the situations in this world, either…they change like the weather and their natural instability provides no peace. The Iran War is a perfect example. It’s on, it’s off, it’s under control, we’re all going to die…I did a lot of praying the past few days for one thing…peace!

Jesus promised to give deep, personal peace unlike anything the world can give. That means it’s sufficient, active, and eternal. His peace won’t rust like a classic Chevelle or confuse you like a politician. It will outlive both and shine far into eternity…how can the world compete with that? May we seek peace as we seek Him daily!