“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid”— John 14:27 (NIV).
While cleaning my house recently, I listened to a talk show interview with a woman in her late 40s, maybe early 50s. The news was up next, and I didn’t want to miss the weather forecast. What grabbed my attention was a statement made by the woman being interviewed. I put down my dust rag so I could focus on the interview.
I don’t recall her name or the name of the show, but her statement made me think. She said, “I don’t want to age gracefully. My idea of aging is growing peacefully.”
Aging gracefully, according to various websites, means embracing the natural process of aging while maintaining physical and mental well-being. This means adopting healthy eating habits, engaging in regular exercise, and forming positive social connections. I considered the idea of growing in peace and how that applied to getting older.
Growing in Peace
I contemplated the idea. How can we grow peacefully? We can find numerous examples of peace and its significance in various contexts in scripture. Examples include peace with God and the peace that comes when an earthly relationship is restored.
A recent conversation with a woman, who had just celebrated her fortieth birthday, reminded of both above. Without going into too much detail, I sense this individual doesn’t have a relationship with the Lord. Because I see her once a month for a haircut, I’ve come to know her well. Our monthly conversations make it evident that she is lost.
Our latest conversation revolved around previous discussions about her relationship with her parents. Last month, I learned she and her mother were not talking. They’d had a falling out and each blamed the other.
The Absence of Peace
As she continued sharing the recent troubles with her mother, including the way her mother always treated her when she was growing up, she said, “I just want to find some peace in my life. Is that too much to ask?”
I felt the Holy Spirit’s nudge to share my source of hope and peace with someone who wasn’t following Jesus. At first, I was nervous. But as the conversation continued and tears came to her eyes, I knew Jesus would give me the words I needed. I recalled John 14:27 and said, “Only Jesus can provide the peace you are seeking. Peace can’t be found in your current circumstances or your relationships. Only our Heavenly Father can give you the peace you are seeking.”
In John 14:27, Jesus promises His disciples a peace the world cannot provide. The peace Jesus talks about is not dependent on external circumstances. Instead, it is rooted in a deep and abiding relationship with Him. It’s a peace that transcends the troubles of this world and brings comfort and assurance. Through Jesus, we can find true peace to sustain us amid life’s challenges.
I always love hearing from my readers. Please e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, contact me at the above e-mail address or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash