In Search of Peace

I confess to being a bit addicted to the HGTV channel on television (when I actually have a few moments to watch television), and I enjoy the programs where people are looking to find a new home for their family.  Sometimes, those people even go house hunting in foreign lands around the globe.  One of the things I most often hear them say is that they are looking for a place in an exotic land where they can "escape the rat race and just find some peace."  Central and South America are frequently places where they look.  Sometimes their hunt takes them to an oceanside home where they can walk the sandy beaches and listen to the waves roll in.  Other times, they look for a small hideaway nestled into the forest or jungle.  I am always intrigued to see and hear what goes on in their minds throughout the process.

The sad thing here is that I believe these precious folks in search of peace are looking in entirely the wrong place to find it.  I'll grant you that some of the homes they find are in quiet and peaceful locations, but the most peaceful location on earth will not bring peace into the human heart.  For a period, they may find some relaxation and satisfaction, but in time that search for peace resurfaces and they're on the move again.

True peace, my friends, is never going to be found in a place... a house, on a boat, or anywhere else on this troubled planet.  Peace is that most precious of gifts afforded to us through a right relationship with our Lord and Creator.  It's not a place of residence that brings us peace, it is the peace that lives within the heart and soul of the believer that people long for. 

In John 16:33, Jesus gave us a promise that assures us of finding peace in this life:  "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation.  But take heart; for I have overcome the world."   We need no longer search frantically for a cabin tucked away from society or build a hut somewhere in the wilderness to find peace.  An apartment on New York's 5th Avenue can become a haven of peace when the Lord abides in the heart of the person who lives there.  That individual will come to know the blessing of taking a few moments to meditate on the Word of God daily and the "peace that passes all understanding" to be found in a relationship with Jesus Christ.

If peace is what you have been seeking, I implore you to look to the source of all peace: our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Traveling the globe looking for a place to get away from the world is expensive and time consuming... particularly when you come to realize that the peace you were seeking was seeking you all along.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid."

John 14:27

Friends, Not Trophies

I recently heard a woman bemoaning the fact that she did not have any friends to help her out when she felt the need for assistance.  She complained that no one was ever available to her when she wanted to talk (or more accurately, complain) and that she couldn't depend on others to be there for her in life.  While you may be inclined to feel sorry for her, let me clarify a few things.

First, if you want to have a friend, you must first BE a friend.  Living a self-absorbed life of continual taking without any giving will not result in a circle of trustworthy friends.  Being a friend requires that we put the needs of others above our own perceived needs.  It means carving out blocks of time wherein we choose to invest in another person.  It takes energy and it takes commitment.  Anything less results in only casual acquaintances, but no real friends.

Second, friends-- that is, true friends-- can usually be counted on the fingers of one hand in this lifetime.  These are people who have proven themselves trustworthy and caring regardless of circumstances.  Even physical distance cannot destroy true friendships.  I have two such wonderful friends, and they now live over 800 miles away from my home (due to my relocation, not theirs).  Regardless of the many miles, when we speak we always pick up from where we left off.  We don't waste each other's time by whining and complaining that the other person didn't  get in touch with us often enough.  We accept that life is busy and demanding, and we celebrate the moments that we do have to chat and laugh and share.

Finally, with the advent of social media sites online, there seems to be a mindset that "friends" are like little trophies that we amass and set up on a shelf to show those around us how well we're loved by others.  Friends are not accomplishments we've achieved.  Friends are relationships we've built by the willingness to invest time, energy, and compassion into the lives of others.  It takes a long-term and serious commitment to build a friendship.

So, don't waste your time (or anyone else's) by complaining that you don't have good friends.  Instead, trying being a good friend to someone else.  Trust me, there is a whole big world full of lonely people out there who are starved for a friend.  Put someone else and their need ahead of your own selfishness.  I promise you that investing in the lives of others will leave you little time to feel sorry for yourself.

Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

(Colossians 3:12-14)

Progression, Not Perfection

When I decided to answer the call of God upon my life and return to college (specifically, seminary), it never occurred to me that there would be people in my life who would not encourage my efforts, and who might even be downright critical of them.  So, when I was first confronted with negative comments and hurtful remarks, it really knocked me for a loop.  I just couldn't figure out why anyone would be so harsh and judgmental over my determination to be obedient to the Lord.

As the months and years have passed, I have come to understand that people most often react to the lives of others based on their own personal experiences and their situations in life.  Those who are insecure or unsatisfied with their lives will be far more critical of individuals who are moving forward and growing personally.  I suppose it may be that the accomplishments of another person force us to take a good look at ourselves and assess our level of contentment with the life we've created.  Sometimes the reality is so painful that people may choose to tear someone else down in a desperate attempt to build themselves up, but success can never be reached by standing on the backs of others.

Recently I concluded a Bible study I was teaching on the first eleven chapters of the book of Genesis.  It had been an interesting study, to say the least, and it afforded each participant the opportunity to look closely at some of the biblical examples of the Christian faith.  On the final night of the study I asked a question of each student:  "What have you learned from these books in Genesis that you will be able to apply to your personal life?"  As we all shared and discussed the valuable lessons contained within that section of Scripture, one thing seemed to surface again and again.  Each one of us had been deeply affected by our study of Noah and the construction of the Ark.  We all agreed that the most impressive thing we took from that account of this faithful, obedient man was that regardless of all the criticism and ridicule he endured (and it was certainly plentiful), Noah made a conscious choice to obey his God despite seemingly insurmountable challenges.  God honored that obedience and blessed Noah and his family by saving them from the worldwide destruction that took place.

Tonight I look at my life and my choices to follow the path set before me and I am more determined than ever to see this through to its end.  Like Noah, I have no idea what my life will become, but I know that my God has given me a command to follow and I will do so regardless of criticism or ridicule from others.  It isn't easy, though.  I'm sure it wasn't easy for Noah, either.  Thankfully, I do have a few family members who have chosen to stand beside me and encourage me each step of the way.  Although they may not fully understand my decision to continue on this path, they do seem to value and respect my faithfulness in choosing to follow the Lord wherever He may lead.  I will draw on some of their strength along the way and one day I believe my "boat" will come to rest on the mountaintop God has prepared for me.

A few days ago my daughter made a statement to me that I will carry throughout the rest of my life:  Progress, not perfection.  I choose to progress.

"By perseverance the snail reached the ark." -- C. H. Spurgeon