Peace Be With You

Day in and day out, we are bombarded. Bombarded by the ever-increasing tragic events of our nation and the world.

Bombarded by society pressing us to wear this, buy that, eat this, drive that, keep up with the Jones, have washboard abs, and be a size 2 or you won't fit in.

Bombarded by work stressors--deadlines, time frames, productivity, do more with less, get it done and done right, get it done now.

Bombarded with governmental laws, restrictions, taxes, taxes, taxes, political mud slinging and finger pointing.

Bombarded by a world where hatred and "isms" are abounding.

Bombarded by illness and diseases and pain, how much more pain, physical and emotional can be endured ?

Bombarded with family issues, who will take care of mom and dad, who's picking on who, who "lost" their homework, how are we going to meet the bills this month, who did what, who said what, who's in trouble with the law, who's asking to borrow money now, and who's not speaking to who?

In the midst of all this chaotic bombardment, where do we find peace? How do we find peace when things seem hopeless? When life is spinning out of control at warp speed?

Mark 4:35-41 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.”

Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat.  There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace! Be still!”

Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?”

They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

Peace, be still. That is where it begins.

Why are you afraid? Why do you allow things to spiral out of control--fear that you will fall into failure? Do you still have no faith? Do you STILL have no faith?

Here is a testimony to faith:
Most of us reach low points in our lives. To us, those low points, depending on circumstances, can seem very dark and lonely and hopeless.

I have journeyed to a world that was consumed by work and family demands. I lost sight of myself as a person and lost sight of my faith. I allowed myself to be completely consumed by it all and wallowed in that darkness until I physically and mentally could not bear it any longer.

Sometimes that it is what it takes--being driven to a breaking point in order to stop and start seeking a resolution. It is in the stillness of this moment, that we begin to just breathe and allow the first glimpses of light to enter into the darkness. Peace be still.

When we believe and start to cling to our faith, and focus our sight back where it belongs, in the eyes and heart of our Lord, those small glimpses of light burst forth into a blinding abyss of hope and peace, and his voice sings in our ears and hearts. "I am here. I will always be here. You are my child, and on me, you can depend, and through me, all things are possible."

Do you still have no faith? Do you STILL have no faith? Low points are temporary and mainly of our own causing. So long as we refuse to let the darkness take hold, our faith will continue to be tested.

We must accept that challenge and pass the test. It is in this faith in God that we see our own faith in ourselves and our unique abilities and talents that He has blessed us with. It is in this faith that we find peace.

In my own journey out the darkness into the light, I found a renewed strength and hope. I followed faithfully, driving alone 3,000 miles away from all that I knew, into an unknown culture and territory.

I can only imagine that this is what the disciples must have felt like as they journeyed forth into different countries spreading the word of Christ. Yet, I was not afraid. At no time on that voyage was I ever afraid.

I knew He was with me and He had promised through His word that He would provide. And provide He certainly has! Provided with a very good job that I truly love, provided with a decent roof over my head, provided not one but two amazing church families who fulfill me in their unique ways, provided with a new family of very close friends who love me for who I am and as a member of their own family, and most importantly, provided me with the opportunity to walk and journey deeper towards Him.

I hunger, thirst, and yearn for that oneness with God. The lingering, fragrant essence of His presence and love. Outside of my children, grandchildren, and siblings, love was but a distant memory. Now, I am awash in it, and I will gladly drown in it. So there is the testimony.

Be still. Have faith.

There is a tradition in some churches where, during the service, there is the "Passing of the Peace", where people turn and face each other and say, "The Lord's peace be with you."

We are passing that peace of the Holy Spirit that exists within us, to each other. Wouldn't it be great if the whole world had one moment every week, where every person in the world turned to the other and said, "Peace be with you "? Imagine the impact....

During this passing of peace, some people shake hands and others hug. I never used to be much of a hugger as that wasn't common practice in my family or in the Northeast in general. So at first, the whole hugging thing was a bit awkward.

In California, it seems to be a common practice. My first day of work, hugs from total strangers. My first day in any new facility, hugs from total strangers.

My first day in church, again, more hugs. These hugs and greetings during the passing of the peace sometimes extend the service out, and we all need to be reigned back in.

I have now grown not only to be a receiver but a giver of hugs as well. For, it is in the moment of holding another person, that two things happen.

First, the "feel good " hormones oxytocin and serotonin are released.

Secondly, it is in that very intimate moment, that a truly, very deep peace in the spirit is felt. I could hug and be hugged for hours just basking in that glorious peace.

Once we learn to be still and have faith, a whole new world opens up and we are able to find peace no matter the circumstances. The world and our country are in turmoil. I see the shining sun, the green grass, the majestic mountains, the serenity of the lakes and streams, the flitting of a hummingbird, the graceful loping of a deer. I feel a gentle breeze brush my face in the heat of the day. There is peace.

May the peace of the Lord be always with you. Amen.