As I sat down, Stan had a big smile on his face. “What’s so funny?” I asked.
“On the way over here this morning I walked passed an old camper van that had all sorts of bumper stickers on the back of it. Right next to each other were two stickers about peace.”
“One said ‘Visualize World Peace;’ the other said ‘Visualize Whirled Peas.’ That struck me as very clever and funny!”
“Peace is a very illusive thing,” I said.
“Depends on what kind of peace you are talking about,” Stan responded.
“Peace is peace,” isn’t it?”
“No,” Stan said, “there is the peace the world seeks to have, and there is the peace of God.”
He the added, “Jesus said He did not come to bring peace as the world knows peace. And He also said that He spoke the words He did so that we can have peace in Him. Peace in Jesus is the only peace that matters.”
“This seems like a really big subject that is more than a little confusing,” I said with a bit of frustration.
“Oh, yeah,” Stan resounded. “It is a big one. And it is extremely important. We will be coming back to this over and over.”
“But for the moment,” he added, “it is important to focus on what Jesus said about having peace in Him. He said He spoke the words He did for that purpose. He didn’t talk just to hear Himself talk. No, He spoke the words so that we can have peace in Him.”
“Thus,” Stan continued, “it is essential to know what it is that Jesus said. I can’t just sit around and wish I had peace. I have to know how to have peace, and that begins with knowing what Jesus said.”
“I can’t just sit and wonder what Jesus said and what He meant by what He said. No, I have to make the effort to know.”
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These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world. John 16:33.
Prayer: Lord, I know that peace is available only through you. I want that peace. I ask you to open me to pursue the peace you offer. I surrender to the peace you have for me through your Holy Spirit. Please, help me to receive and embrace all of the peace you have for me. Thank you that I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus. Amen.
Waiting for the Train 