A Peaceful Living Lesson

Living Lessons: Peace

by: Christopher Wiles

Whether it's Facebook or Twitter, CNN or Fox News, the Times Herald, or the Evansville Star, the media that I consume is often disheartening, discouraging, and disparaging.   Like the 1970's mantra and the symbol teens flash today in their selfies, I desire PEACE. 

 

Instead of peace, media fills my brain with dramatic tension concerning everything from the Confederate Flag to Conflicts in Falkland Islands.  What about you?  Are you getting tired of the constant barrage of images, articles, and sound bytes encouraging more conflict, getting you riled up and your blood boiling?

In a search for peace a CNN writer says Iceland and New Zealand are the places to go.  Can I stow away in someone's luggage?  In their search for peace an anonymous internet contributor said, "My therapist told me the way to achieve true inner peace is to finish what I start.  So far today, I have finished 2 bags of chips and a chocolate cake.  I feel better already."  Potato chips and cake to achieve peace?  Sign me up! 

Unfortunately, peace doesn't work this way.  If you're like me and you seek to enjoy peace, be filled with peace, and live peaceably with others (Rom 12:18), then we're going to have to work together to find our peace from something different than modern media, baked goods, and foreign travel.  We're going to have to find it in Jesus.

"I have said these things to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” - John 16:33

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!" - Isaiah 26:3

I'm humbled by and proud of the disciples in Charleston, SC, who continued their study of God's Word this past Wednesday night, just one week after their terrible tribulation.  I hope last night's Bible study brought some much needed peace and I hope we learn from their example.

My desire is for all of us to enjoy a measure of God's eternal peace this week.  Let's start by throttling back our time focused on the tribulation of the world and begin investing our attention in trusting the truth of the Word.  May the "peace of God which passes understanding" be yours.

Living Lessons are practical every day lessons that Topher writes from his learning experiences.  They are featured weekly in the Washington Church of Christ bulletin.  Click here to find more: LIVING LESSONS.