One Peace at a Time

"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."

- Abraham Lincoln

 

 

 While sitting at a stoplight on a nice Spring day last week, windows rolled down and music playing, I was able to view a variety of peace within that corner. On my right sat a beautiful park where kids were playing on the swings, and childhood laughter filled the air. It was a childlike peace.

 

Within the confines of my car, music filled the air; it was a comfortable peace that I sat in.

 

  In front of me turning at the stoplight was a funeral procession. A completely different kind of peace. 

My thoughts then began to roll through my mind:

I wonder who this person was being laid to rest.

 

Did that person know Jesus?

 

Did they die a quiet, peaceful death? And is the family at peace?

Or was this an unfortunate tragedy where surely there may have been no peace?

 

Did they lead a quiet peaceful life?

Or was this person a leader, someone who made a profound impact on the world, or even just in his own little community?

 

 

It's been awhile since I've ever thought about the many varieties of peace and what they may entail in just one ordinary day. That childlike peace those children had while playing in the park, how many of us would give to have that kind of peace everyday? Not a care or worry in the world, as they are just trusting in their mother and father to provide and care for them.

 

Suppose that person that was being laid to rest led a hard life, knew Jesus, and can now finally rest in peace, how many of us would like that after living a long, hard life? 

 

No matter what we endure through life there are many ways to peace. Not just an eternal peace after we have graced this planet, but an exuberant, joyful, restful  peace just for today.

Are you living in peace today? For this moment? Or find yourself in need of some peace?

⁶ Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. ⁷ Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. (Phil.4:6,7)

Peace is simple, but sometimes we forget how simple it can be.