Thoughts for the Day

Jesus said to his disciples, 'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, “I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me; but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father.'

(Church in Wales Lectionary, New Revised Standard Version)

Thoughts

Many years ago I stayed with a family that had a number of young children. It was absolute bedlam, there was no corner of the house to get a bit of peace; and when my sons were young it was pretty much the same. Children take a while to learn to moderate their voices and often whisper or shout - there is nothing in between.

In our world we can sometimes get peace by removing ourselves from whatever is 'noisy'; we can go to the countryside but then complain that the cows or birds are noisy; or we can go abroad on holiday but the troubles of the office still intrude on the phone even when we're on the beach; or failing all else we can take a sleeping tablet and go to bed but the day comes all too soon!

In the Jewish world the word "Shalom" (ie 'Peace') is used when to greet or leave friends. But this is no casual phrase when given by Jesus. He doesn't necessarily offer a time of space away from the angst of this life. But He does offer wholeness and completeness, and the deep and lasting peace of knowing Him and the Father, through the power of the Holy Spirit. We might think of it as the stillness at our core, because we know we are loved by God.

Lord Jesus Christ,
give us Your peace this day,
a peace that fills our hearts and minds,
and which puts all our difficulties
in perspective.
May we draw ever closer to You,
and draw upon Your love
each day as we step forward into the future.
Amen.