I am not ashamed to say that I have spent most of my life living in a bubble. A happy bubble. A bubble of ignorance. I would look at the world through my rosy-coloured glasses, and with a broad smile on my face tell people that life is great, that this world is an awesome place and that God is Good.
Yes, it is true! But what happens when circumstances don’t allow people to see any joy or peace or love.
We have just returned from a 10 day trip to China. All work and no play I am afraid, but it was a good trip! Before leaving, I was quietly concerned about leaving our twins with their grannies, who are certainly very capable, but they are not me. I carried the responsibility of caring for the girls – could I really trust that someone else would or could do the job as well as me. Fear began to rise in me. I began to worry about every little thing. How would I know that they would be safe. That they would be ok. And I would be so far away!
And then out of the blue, God nudged me, and with a wink and a smile he said, ” Your children’s lives are in my hands. I gave them to you and I am looking after them. Whether you are in the country or out of the country – I have got them.”
I felt quite ridiculous. After all, what control did I really have over anything. I did trust God for our daily protection. My most common prayer is that we feel Gods love and presence and that we are assured of His hand of protection over our lives, so how would this change if I am out of the country.
Peace descended – and I started really looking forward to the trip. I knew it would be hard work but I have never been afraid of that. I have always loved every aspect of travel. The plane trips, the hotel stays, the interaction with a new culture, the experience of a different way of life. I love it all and fully embrace it all. And this trip would be no different, because now I had peace!
Do you know what the definition is of peace. The Merriam-Webster dictionary describes it as follows;
- a state of tranquillity or quiet: a: freedom from civil disturbance b: a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom
- freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions
- harmony in personal relations.
That would be what I would refer to as a ‘worldly’ description. It is not wrong. It is completely right according to mankind’s understanding of Peace.
But the Lord has called us to be ‘In the world but not of the world’. As believers, although we are physically present in the world, we are not a part of its values.
John 17:15-16 Expanded Bible (EXB)
15 I am not asking you to take them out of the world but to ·keep them safe [protect them] from the ·Evil One [or evil; C the Evil One is the Devil]. 16 They don’t belong to the world, just as I don’t belong to the world.
So let us now have a look at the ‘Godly’ definition of peace.
The Hebrew Bible uses a familiar but significant word, shalom. In its purest sense, shalom means “peace.” The implication is positive. When someone says, “Shalom,” or, “Peace be with you,” it doesn’t mean, “I hope you don’t get into any trouble”; it means, “I hope you have all the highest good coming your way.”
Most people in this world don’t understand peace as a positive concept. They only understand the negative aspect of peace, which is simply the absence of trouble.
The Quechua Indians in Ecuador also have a lovely definition of peace. For them it is to “to sit down in one’s heart.” It is the opposite of running around in the midst of constant anxieties. But even though it is beautiful and serene, it still gives the impression that peace is only found in the absence of trouble.
The biblical concept of peace does not focus on the absence of trouble at all. Biblical peace is unrelated to circumstances; it is a goodness of life that is not touched by what happens on the outside. You may be in the midst of great trials and still have biblical peace.
This is the kind of peace that we need to trust God for. This is the kind of peace that I experienced in the light of our China trip.
On our arrive home however, our world was completely shattered when we heard the devastating news of a young girl who had been brutally raped and murdered in the very forest where I run every other day. The support and compassion shown by the people of the neighborhood was wonderful to see, but it does not bring her back. It does not undo this revolting deed.
I prayed for Gods justice. I prayed for peace and love for the family. I prayed for our country.
Where does this leave us?
Should we live in fear?
Should we be too afraid to venture out of our homes and into the mountains and forests and parks that surround us?
No No No!!!! The answer is no! We are in this world but not of this world. We can trust for God’s protection. We can live with true ‘peace’ in our hearts.
And I do this every time I run alone. I pray that God sends his angels before me and behind me to keep me safe. I wrote about this in my story “Running with Angels’.
We do need to be wise, like running the more isolated routes in pairs or groups, but don’t live in fear. Don’t stop living!
I have heard so many stories where a Christian has been confronted by danger and has boldly proclaimed to the perpetrator that they are to ‘Leave them alone or Get out! in the name of Jesus Christ’ and the enemy could not run away fast enough.
There is power in the name of Christ.
There is true peace found in Christ.
Don’t look away or run away. Come this way. Come to Christ. He is the only way.