For the past decade, I’ve felt the waters of my life have been quite rough. Conflict after conflict; heartache after heartache; turmoil; grief; loss; insurmountable obstacles. I’ve imagined myself on a sailboat being tossed from one wave to the next in a series of tumultuous storms. And, for the past decade of my life, I’ve asked God to make my waters smooth. “Can I just have a month of peaceful sailing, God? Smooth as glass water, the kind skiers love to drop one and slalom.” (As if God doesn’t understand what type of water I am referring to).
I’ve learned however that the best of sailors are those who have navigated the roughest waters. No one ever became captain sailing through the still, untroubled waters. Peace comes when we realize that although the swell of the waves is overwhelming and the sound of the thunder is deafening, God has us. His arm is long enough to pull us out of the deepest, darkest oceans; not because we deserve it, but because He loves us with a love we can never fully understand. I’m learning even though my world may fall apart all around me, I know who holds my world, and in His hands, I’ll never fall apart.
Peace isn’t necessarily a setting, although it would be quite nice if it were. Peace is knowing no matter what – NO MATTER WHAT – God is still our God. And, He is on our side.
“ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 8:38-39.
Peace is knowing we are not alone. Even when the silence seems endless. Even when the grief pounds within our hearts. Even when the pain hangs heavy on our bodies. He will never leave us.
“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33
