Day #1967

May 21, 2019 

Tuesday’s Thoughts on Scripture are Jesus' words that come from the Gospel of John, chapter 14, verse 27: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (NRSV)

Perhaps it’s looking ahead at June and the busyness of what should be a slower summer month. Perhaps it’s trying to be in too many places at once. Perhaps it’s looking at the news headlines and realizing we humans are fighting every day for peace of mind, peace of heart, peace of life…and not succeeding. Perhaps it’s that the scripture for today will be read on the day before Memorial Day when we honor the hundreds of thousands who have died trying to keep peace in the United States. 

Whatever "it" is, I find the words Jesus speaks to his disciples just before he is arrested and led away to be crucified are as applicable today as they were two thousand years ago. The peace that Jesus gives is not as the world gives, or tries to give, through battle and legislation. The peace Jesus gives is a gift. 

Can I imagine a day when there is no longer a need to send men and women off to "fight" for peace? Can I imagine a day when there is no longer a need to worry about the future, the present, the lack, the fear…whatever causes hearts and minds to be troubled? I can't. At least not by what we humans try to do to obtain peace.

So what does bring that kind of peace? Perhaps it is as simple as trusting that God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, loves us. And loves us not due to what we do or don’t do, but simply because we are God’s children. And that, as part of that love, never leaves us alone. No matter what! 

There is definitely a peace that comes with knowing we are loved. No matter what! And what a gift to share the assurance of that peace with others. 

Blessings.