Go Deeper

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
John 14:27 (NIV)

I heard of a man who read an article telling him that the way to find inner peace is to always finish what you start. He took this to heart and after putting it into practice, said, “Finishing what I start is definitely working for me. I am now making a point of always finishing what I start and I think I am well on my way toward finding true inner peace.” 

“Here are the things that I have finished just today: two bags of potato chips, a strawberry cheesecake, a package of Oreos, a two-liter bottle of Mountain Dew, and a large cheese pizza.”

He then said, “I know this works because I feel better already.” 

Where do you find peace when life is unpredictable? You may look to relationships, and possessions or binge on Netflix to find relief. In the world, you may find pleasure and prosperity, popularity or position, but you will not find peace. 

The Catholic priest, Thomas Merton said, “Man is not at peace with his fellow man, because he is not at peace with himself. He is not at peace with himself; because he is not at peace with God.” 

Peace within you and with others begins through peace with your good Father. 

In today’s verse, Jesus says that His peace is not like the world’s peace, and it is peace the world cannot take away. His peace passes all understanding. No one can understand or disturb the peace that you have when you have Jesus, the Prince of Peace. 

And the deeper you go with Jesus, the more peace you will experience.

Oceanographers say that no matter how strong the winds of a storm or how ferocious the waves, if you dive just 25 feet below the surface, it is as still and calm as a country lake. That’s the way it is with Jesus. Dive just below the surface, and find the Holy Spirit and His peace waiting to meet you and keep you. 

You have peace with Jesus and peace from Jesus, an eternal treaty with your name on it, signed in His own blood and sealed by the Holy Spirit. So go deeper, and discover the peace that nothing can stop and no one can take away. 

Prayer: Holy Spirit, Teach me to go below the surface of any anxiousness or disruption that may be stirring within. Thank You that Your peace passes all understanding. Where my heart feels troubled, I choose to dive deeper into our relationship, putting all my trust in You. In Jesus’ name, amen.