If you were going shopping for a new refrigerator, would you go to the grocery store? It sounds logical in one sense because food is what you put in the refrigerator, but grocery stores don’t normally sell big appliances. Some of the big department stores or super centers (that some people like and some don’t) might have both food and appliances, but most likely a grocery store would not. You’d probably have to go to an appliance store.
So where are you looking for peace?
When I’m thinking about something, I have a tendency to look around or sometimes stare and zone out. That might give me inspiration or an idea where to start. My eyes may focus on some object or person. My ears may hear someone talking. I might feel a gentle breeze on a hot day or the sun warming me on a cold day. Where do you look when you have a question or need help with a problem?
Recently as my pastor is preaching through the Book of Ruth, I jotted down some points that he emphasized which also fit well as we think about where to find peace.
May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.
Ruth 2:12, NIV
Look up, not down. If you’re looking down all the time, you won’t see what’s right in front of you and may walk into a wall, a person, or some other object. Ouch! That’s not peaceful! Look to God, not others for the peace that you desire. He is the only true source of peace.
See God’s hand in your life. Look around at all that God has done for you. If you’re constantly negative and pessimistic, it’s not peace-inducing. But if you look up and around and recognize that God is working in you, you’re on your way to a peace-filled life.
God works behind the scenes. When you go to the theater or watch a movie, can you see what’s going on back stage to orchestrate the show? It’s the same with our lives. God is working in the background where we can’t see what’s going on just yet. Trust Him to work out the details so the end of your life’s story will be a perfectly peaceful ending. You will live happily ever after if you know Jesus as your Savior.
Expect a miracle. I think most of us pray for a miracle in different situations for ourselves or others. We hope for a miracle to happen soon. But is it just thoughts and words or do we really expect a miracle? Believe and trust Him!
When we take refuge in God’s arms and trust Him, we will find the peace we long for.
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I am not very good at memorizing so I’ve tried different apps for my cell phone that help you to memorize. One app called Verse Locker includes a list of 15 aspects of peace with verses to memorize. In future posts, we will look at them one by one, with the first one being the Illusion of Peace. Notice that I didn’t say illusive, but illusion.
Before we head into these aspects of peace, I’m switching themes just a little to love in honor of Valentine’s Day and then Lent as we head towards Easter. I hope you’ll keep reading and share this blog with everyone.