Yesterday as I was driving up to see my mom in the nursing
home, I spent some time praying. It was one of those times where I felt like I
just upended my heart and dumped it all out at the foot of His throne. I handed
Him all my pain and confusion, some with words – some without. As I was pouring
my heart out before Him I began to get some answers. They just started popping
up in my mind.
As I drove, I asked for wisdom. Then I asked for peace. When
I asked for peace, I had this question come up in my head. Where’d you put
it? It struck me a bit funny, but I let my heart and mind pursue it. Where’d
I put what? Peace. That’s what I was
praying for, right?
Then the scripture came to mind – in John 14:27, Jesus told
His disciples, Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. In that moment, it
seemed as though He was asking me a question. And of course, we know God
doesn’t ask questions just for the sake of gathering information – He already
knows!
It was more like he was asking me where did YOU
put the peace I left for you? I thought about that for quite some time.
Jesus was preparing Himself for the crucifixion – He didn’t need peace on the
other side of the cross. He is peace. He said He was leaving it for His
disciples who were also instructed to not let their hearts be troubled.
Well that’s easier said than done, especially for caregivers who have
circumstances from all sides chipping away at their hearts, minds, and peace –
day in and day out!
But somehow – just His question brought peace to my troubled
soul. As I got lost in thought, peace began to flood my soul. I realized He
left it here – His peace that is. He left it for us. What are we
going to do with it? Where are we going to put it? Will we lay it aside and
just go on walking in our confusion and fears? Or will we let ourselves
be clothed and covered with His peace? Colossians 3:15 says to let the
peace of God rule in your hearts… It’s an exercise in trust I
presume! But it’s definitely a purposeful action.
Today, I will focus on letting His peace reign in my
heart. I’ll be intent about leaning in to hear Him and drowning out the noise
of the caregiving world with His voice. To “let” means to allow – I’ll allow His
peace to reign in my heart – and in my mind today. In that way – I’ll trust Him
with just this day and all that it may bring my way. Will you join me?
Comments
Post a Comment