“The definition of serenity is a state of being calm, peaceful and untroubled. Achieving this positive state of mind means you won’t feel as troubled by life’s ups and downs.” (states 7 Summit Pathways about addiction recovery on their website) When I slow down and observe nature and its beauty, I experience that state of serenity—being calm, peaceful, and untroubled. It at least momentarily overrides the troubles of life that tend to overwhelm and take precedence in our day-to-day activities. I took the picture above on one of those days when I was out running errands and feeling a little stressed. Fall is my favorite time of year so I took a few minutes to pull over and stop the car and just enjoy the scenery. A couple deep breaths later, feasting my eyes on the various colored leaves on the trees, and watching the clouds float by refreshed my spirit and helped me to refocus my thoughts on my Creator God and all He’s done for me. How much closer can one get to serenity?
“You will keep in perfect and constant peace
the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused
on You—in both inclination and character],
Because he trusts and takes refuge in You
[with hope and confident expectation].
Isaiah 26:3, AMP
I don’t often refer to the Amplified version of the Bible, but at times it can be very helpful in explaining exactly what the verse means by using additional words. The first thing I noted and like in the above verse is the word perfect because that’s what this whole blog is mostly about—God’s perfect peace. The second word that stands out to me is constant. God’s peace is not momentary or fleeting; it is constant. It is there all the time when given by God.
There are some conditions to the receiving of that perfect and constant peace. First, our minds need to be steadfast. We can’t be wishy-washy about our relationship with Jesus or allow ourselves to get distracted by other people and things. We must be committed to Him and focus on our relationship with Him as being the most important part of our lives. I know at times it’s easy to get distracted even during a worship service, but our focus needs to be on God as we worship and then on maintaining that relationship in our daily lives as we leave the church building and go out into the world. No, it won’t be as serene out there, but when our relationship is anchored in Jesus, the calmness and peace of Christ will help us remain untroubled.
“Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one
who walks daily with Him] be
the controlling factor in your hearts
[deciding and settling questions that arise].
To this peace indeed you were called as
members in one body [of believers].
And be thankful [to God always].”
Colossians 3:15, AMP
Serenity of peace is when peace makes you feel like it’s the best place to be. The first time after I purchased a new mattress with a pillow top and laid down on it, it felt so good to just lay in that soft spot. After a hard mattress that made my hip hurt and gave no relief to my aching body, this new mattress felt like it was the best there was.
The above verse defines the peace of Christ as the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him (Jesus). After a day of being with people, for me the inner calm that Christ brings comes as I settle myself in my rocker or recliner, turn on the massage and heat, and let Him take care of the inside. When decisions need to be made or questions arise that require my attention, the peace of Christ needs to be the controlling factor in my heart—not the heat of the moment, the stress of the factors, the pull of others’ opinions, nor any of those things. God calls us to peace because we are His children. God gives perfect peace. Are you thankful for it today?