Chasing fireflies was one of my favorite things to do as a child. Only we didn’t call them fireflies here in the South. We called them lightning bugs. On warm summer evenings, my sister and I would see the sporadic flickers and run to the backyard, ready for the chase.
Those crazy lightning bugs were elusive. Every once in a while I’d catch one, but mostly I just chased them around.
Peace is like that sometimes.
I know what peace is. I read verses about it. But for some reason, I can’t seem to find it. I’m always looking, hoping it will just pop up in front of me where I can grasp it with cupped hands.
Once in a while, I get a hold of peace for a moment, but then I let go. I start seeking again and again. In the meantime, worry and stress make their home in my heart.
I’m sorry to say I’ve continued in this pattern, my never-ending quest for peace. Until recently when I read a verse I’ve poured over many times before. This time, God spoke a sobering truth to my spirit. I realized peace is not something to look for. It’s not a hidden treasure to find, or a goal to attain. We already have it.
The Peace of Jesus
When Jesus neared the end of His time on earth, He prepared his disciples. The words He shared with them weren’t just for the twelve, but for all believers. He left an incredible gift to us as well. Jesus gave us His peace.
The same peace Jesus had when he found out his friend Lazarus died.
The same peace Jesus had when the religious leaders accused him and tried to trap him.
The same peace Jesus had when the very people he set free yelled, “Crucify him!”
The same peace Jesus had when he hung on the cross.
I have that peace with me right now, guarding my heart, my mind, and my spirit. What an amazing gift! And if that peace could bring calm to the treacherous situations Jesus faced, imagine what it can do in my life right now.
So when we walk through our darkest times, when we’re in the midst of our hardest struggles, we can hold onto this promise. The same peace that carried Jesus through the cross will carry us today.
Maybe you feel a little like me. Maybe you’ve chased peace around like that elusive firefly. Know this truth, my friend. We can stop chasing. We only need to acknowledge the gift that’s already with us, ready to guard our hearts and minds against the turmoil that tries to lead us into an unending quest for relief.
Let’s stop searching, take a deep breath, and rest in His peace.
