After Mike’s message about social media a few weeks ago, I’ve been thinking a lot about how the world has changed in my short time here on earth – both the good and the bad. Have the troubles of this world really changed that much or do we experience the same troubles with different circumstances surrounding them?
When I was about 9, I recall my mom crying while she was watching the evening news. It was the day we declared war on the Middle East and suddenly I understood the phrase “we are writing history.” A young man from our church was eventually deployed to the Gulf War and we became pen pals as part of a third grade writing assignment. When he arrived home safely, he stopped to see me and thank me for the letters because my small assignment had meant a lot to him. While the Gulf War eventually ended, the troubles and unrest over there has never completely gone away.
Fast forward twenty some years and we find ourselves experiencing violence here in the United States against people of different races, the same race, and even those who are meant to protect us. Logging onto Facebook or turning the TV on can lead to both joy and great sadness in a matter of moments. As history continues to unfold before our eyes, it is easy to let fear settle into our soul. Fear of the unknown, fear of what our children will wake up to in twenty years, and fear of what may happen to our loved ones. Yet, we have hope. We have hope in our God who has proven throughout history that He loves, protects, and cares for the sheep of His pasture. This does not mean we will never experience sadness or trials in this life, but it does give a sense of peace that surpasses all understanding. A peace that is usually too difficult to even explain. Paul wrote these words while in prison to those in Philippi, “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:5b-7
God’s peace is promised to guard the hearts of those who come to Him in prayer. Our prayers of praise, thanksgiving and even petitions are heard by our Creator and in return we experience an inner calm that is unimaginable to the outside world looking in. This peace is more than what the world could ever offer because it is a gift of our Lord and Savior. When Jesus promised the Holy Spirit’s coming, he said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” John 14:27
For those that serve and protect us, for the young woman who just found out she is expecting an unexpected child, for the elderly person who can no longer live on their own, and even for the couple that wants to give up – take heart, do not be troubled, rest in your Saviors arms. He is calling you to cast your cares on Him, so that He may sustain you (Psalm 55:22) and give you peace in your heart, because He loves you.
Let it be said of us that no matter the trail we encountered, we were in constant prayer and experienced God’s gift of supernatural peace throughout our lives. May it be said of us that we persistently prayed for those of this world so they too could experience the peace that surpasses all understanding.
Grace and peace, Becky Ossefoort