Peace

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.  John 14:27

What is peace?  Some define peace as the absence of something - the absence of war, or hostility.  For children of the 60's, peace became something of an ideology.  To me, peace is many things, but not something that's absent.

Jesus told us, "Peace I leave with you."  It is His gift to us.  I am sitting in my home enjoying the stillness while Carsten and Nick nap the afternoon away.  This is peace.  Driving to work in the warmth of my car, looking out at the snow that still covers the ground, and hearing Carsten point out every cow he sees along the way (and there are hundreds) is peace.  Going to sleep at night, knowing men and women all over the world have sacrificed this luxury so that I can live the life I have is peace.  Being confident that no matter how strong the wind or fierce the storm, my God is always in control is peace.

We live in hectic and uncertain times.  Turmoil seems to lurk around every corner.  But Jesus left us peace... all we have to do is take this wonderful gift He has given.  I wish you all a very blessed start of the new year and the new decade - but most of all, I wish you all peace.