Some days, peace can be hard to find. On the days and weeks where circumstances seem to not just come at us, but vehemently attack us. It almost seems absurd to seek after a peaceful heart in these seasons.
And yet, this is when we most need peace.
After all, Jesus called the weary to share yokes with Him. He didn’t call those who could handle their lives. He didn’t call the strong-willed and stubbornly self-directed.
He called the busted. He called the broken. He called those we are at the end of their strength, the end of their hope, the end of their ability to see how anything good could come of the vicious circumstances in their life.
This is the paradox of peace: When we need it most, we are least likely to seek it.
We think peace is an absence of war or strife…and there is truth to this definition. But peace is more than that. Peace knows in the end, we are not alone. We have someone walking the very same path, carrying the very same burdens, right next to us. And His name is Jesus.
This has been a week where I have needed to find peae. And honestly, I haven’t done a very good job. Right now, in this moment, I choose…
I will stop my striving
I will lay down the yoke
I will walk away from my burden
I will call to Jesus
I will pick us His yoke
I will walk side by side with Him
You are so right, Chris, that peace is more than an absence of war or strife. True peace eludes us when we strive to control the uncontrollable. Only in Jesus can we find that peace that passes understanding, and you again are right on in showing that this is a choice we make. Praying for our Lord to utterly envelope you in His peace this weekend!
Thank you Rebeca. It is so easy to forget peace is presence, not absence.
I can resonate with your post. Still going through issues myself, but I’m determined to walk beside Him. Praying for you, Chris.
When I reconsidered this concept this morning, I was struck by the fact we have to lay down our yoke to pick His up. Thanks for the prayers
I’m thinking of Psalm 46:10 (which is my Tranquil Sundays post today), “Be still and know that I am God.” I like the NASB translation, “Cease striving…” I’ve been thinking and praying for you, Chris.
There is a part of me that like the NAS translation, and a part of me that doesn’t. Some part of my independent spirit says if I am not striving, then I am not putting forth full effort. This is why the call to be equal yoke-bearers with Jesus is so very hard, though, I suppose.
Chris, I agree with you. I usually read the ESV and NIV. And it is hard not to strive and to do things for ourselves. I struggle with that often.