How to Find Perfect Peace, in a less-than Peaceful World

Scattered messages fall from the sky, like confetti of lies, pulling our eyes to the right, to the left.

We grab their reflections, jump at the sound of balloons popping wrecklessly, not knowing at all, whether the party was all a facade.

His name stops and catches us; in mouths of the “heard”, with titles and reputations.

Pope’s, Saints, Bishops, Prophets, all blasting warped lies, trying to point us towards the light, yet instead leading us wayward.

Homes have been shaken. Families tossled out of the safety of their routines.

Rugs tossed, secrets once covered, lost, making their way, ripping people apart, like a toddler taring an important paper, slowly, painfully, right before our eyes.

Everything covered, is being uncovered. All secrets once kept, are being seen in their time.

And the days of “playing church”, “pretending we are good”, letting reputations rise us higher than the throneroom we were made to surrender to, are falling to the ground.

No door is being unturned. No blind eye is being unopened. All vulnerable hearts are being defended.

As winds spin, what type of ground we are standing on, is finally being revealed.

I hear about the armor; faith, breast plate of righteousness, salvation, belt of truth, feet shod with the gospel of peace…

As we are told to prepare for war; get our bodies ready for something we’ve never seen or know before.

But this battle gear is more than some covering, some man-made “rules” we strap on ourselves literally or figuratively…

Aren’t we born with our armor from conception in the womb?

And the goal is not to momentarily put it on, right before some battle. But to have it and not lose it. Let it weave itself in our very lives and trust it, in Jesus.

And maybe the growing and protecting isn’t about putting more weight upon us, but letting go of everything that once weighed us down.

Like David stripping off King Saul’s armor.

David knew, man-made protection didn’t stop kings in battle from falling to their death.

It was the inner qualities that led David, face-to-face with the nemesis taunting God’s people, laughing at a King, making strong men tremble.

And if we want to walk in faith, righteousness, salvation, truth and peace, maybe we need to do more than force some chant each morning, physically simulate the “putting on the armor”, or make a presentation to show, we understand.

Maybe we need to meet with God in the secret place. Ask Him what we are lacking. Get down on our knees, and offer to Him everything that hinders our walking as He has asked of us.

Is fear covering faith? Sin blocking righteousness? Doubts smothering our ownership of salvation? Lies covering truth? Turmoil robbing us from peace?

We are children of God, the same God who helped David slay giants, take down bears and lions.

So, why do we of such little faith, fear?

Have we put our trust in chariots and “wise men” blasting their prophesies, like charlottons of our day? Have we put “facts” and “opinions”, “knowledge” on a pedastal, letting it reign…

Over our thinking, our hope, and our hearts?

Have we not heard, His small whisper that calls us in the darkness to come and meet with Him?

Like stranded Elijah, held to the cleff of the rock, with tenderness and trepidation.

God calls us over, to watch the failing power of the wind, the unfruitful earthquakes, leaving us weak and helpless.

It’s as if He lets us wait, watch for worldly sounds. Reminds us, the wind that blasts the rock we are standing on, has no power over Him.

And as the ground we stand on shakes and moves. As we try to get footing, grab for anything, hope for “a word”….

He is still there. Waiting. Patient. Longsuffering.

But then, it comes. The anchor to our souls. What we long for in our wavering.

A small, hushing sound, communing with us; known, loved, seen, heard.

His voice is soft, but it is not shallow.

His sound is deep, weighty, engulfing every microbe of our being…

Shattering the lies of those who call themselves with titles before their names. Those who cater to rings and power, seek influence and their own granieur self-esteem.

As the noises of those around us are loud; the opinions dance around, like wind, deafening us with sound…

The voice of the Chosen One lingers; deep, low, settled, sure.

He whispers to us, “Be still”….

Like when ragging waters lapped his boat, and the God of Ages rested during the storm.

He, the Messiah, still today, stops waves with his hand.

One word and all creation was formed. One word, and He can end our battles as well.

When have we forgotten, He reigns still? 

Like a steel daggar thrown into the dust; our God is unbendable, unshaken by the falling world leaving us, trembling for hope.

Did He not say, storms would come? Didn’t He say to build our house upon His rock? Rest ourselves assured, in Him?

Did He not measure the times, say He’d placed a plummet line? Tells us our hearts are as seeds and to get our hearts right and ready, to receive the truth He’s given us?

And yet, t.v.’s are on, laptops open, fingers scrolling. All looking for direction…

When the God of all Creation offers us direction. Truth already written. Stories of faith long ago told…

So let’s put down our screens and open our Bibles. One voice. One direction. One hope. One God. Leading the way.

He calls us to the narrow path. The tender direction, down by still waters where fear has no power.

He walks with us through valleys, and upon troubled waters. Stops the mouths of lions, so that we might step forward.

There is nothing He can’t do.

And friend, His voice, it will not deceive us. 

Perhaps, He wants to lead us…

• Like Elijah, tucked in a rock. Fighting in a valley.
• Lke Jehoshaphat, afraid, crying out to Him.
• Like King Nebuchadnezzar, watching the miracles of God, bowing to The King, though people once bowed to him.

God is blowing away the chaff. He is separating the wheat and tares. He is burning away the dross…

He is revealing what’s really in us.

What are we clinging to? Who do we turn to? Where do we go for hope when all of life starts spinning? Is God our anchor, our firm foundation? Or is man’s wealth, wisdom, words, or worship, the leader of our hearts?

There is only one. One worth turning to. His name is Jesus.

He still calms storms today. He remains our hope, salvation, truth and peace.

And He still stands on the boats of our hearts in the middle of the chaos, calling out to us, “Be still”.

You can put your trust in Him.

He’s the only One who knows the way.