First Presbyterian Church of Alabaster (Cumberland) - Sept 18 2005 "The beauty of Thy peace"

Main Menu *

FYI

Who's Online

Home

Open Door Articles

September Articles

Sept 18 2005 "The beauty of Thy peace"

Thursday, 17 November 2005

We all want peace of mind. Everyone of us. Actually, we ought to change how we say that. Peace of mind is not only something that we want, it’s something that we need. Peace of mind is a gift that can be given to us by others or it can be something discovered and held deep within – a personal understanding that life is full of meaning and purpose. Either way, living at peace with ones self is a beautiful gift.

      Peace is an important part of what Jesus brought to the earth. On several occasions he told his disciples that he come so that the world could know peace. When the disciples were confused about Jesus’ pending dearth in Jerusalem, Jesus said, “ Peace is what I leave with you; it is my own peace that I give you. I do not give it as the world does. ” ( John 14: 27, Good News Bible). And, when he appeared to them after he had been raised from the dead, Jesus said, “ Peace be with you ... Do not be afraid. ” ( Matthew 28: 9, 10, Good News Bible ). In a time of confusion, fear, doubt, and isolation Jesus offered peace. God’s peace – which is a way of saying God’s presence. We must have peace.

     We know how hard it can to be at peace. Life is sometimes hard, anything but peaceful. A spouse is sick. A friend dies. There is an argument brewing between mom and dad. The job is just okay. Someone is upset at you. Sometimes peace seems far away. And hidden. When life is like that we need to be able to find reassurance in our faith. We need to know that God is with us. And that we have support from our brothers and sisters in Christ. We need to know that even as we muck through difficult times, God is at work and God’s peace will reign.

     In the late 14th and early 15th century, Thomas a Kempis wrote these words: “ Always long and pray that the will of God may be fully realized in your life. You will find that the person who does this walks in the land of peace and quietness. ” I can think of hardly a place that sounds better than this place of which a Kempis writes, this “ land of peace and quietness. ” This place doesn’t have an address and you won’t find it any map. It is hidden. And beautifully located in the heart. And if we are pursuing God’s will, God’s place in our lives, we will find this land. And, we will prosper there. Grow there. No matter what comes at us, we will know the peace of God that comes through God’s presence in our living.

     The poet John Greenleaf Whittier wrote these words : “ Drop still thy dews of quietness / Till all our strivings cease; / Take from our souls the strain and stress, / And let our ordered lives confess / The beauty of Thy peace. ” This is my prayer for all of you, for your families, and for this church.

     Grace and peace,