Peace
Scripture Reading — John 14:23-31
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. . . . Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”
The day our family left Michigan to move to California will be forever etched in my memory. As we said goodbye to friends and a dearly loved community, we left with tears in our eyes. Transitions can be difficult. They leave us with unsettled feelings and uncertainty about the road ahead. They leave us with troubled hearts and almost anything but peace.
As Jesus prepared his disciples for his departure, he promised that they would receive the Holy Spirit and that he would come back one day. He had prepared them well for what was next. But I think he knew that this transition would still be very difficult for them. He knew they would have a lot of fear about what the future had in store. So he gave them this message of peace—saying that he would give them his peace.
Transitions are just one thing that can bring about fear in our lives. Fear of what lies ahead and fear of the unknown can be very strong. But all our fears can be overcome by the Lord’s peace, which he gives us each day.
When your life is filled with lots of changes and unknowns, turn to the peace that Jesus has promised. The peace that he has given can bring us through times of trouble and fear.
God of peace who gives us peace, turn our hearts from trouble and fear in the midst of the unknown. Grant us your peace every day. Amen.
About the author — Bret Lamsma
Bret Lamsma is Director of Faith Formation at First Church in Denver, Colorado, and has served churches in Michigan and California in youth, emerging adult, inter-generational, and educational ministries. Bret and his wife, Julie, have two children, and he enjoys hiking, disc golfing, and cheering for the Chicago Cubs.
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