What else is true? Part 3 - Peace
I suggest we are also surrounded by messages of FAITH and HOPE and PEACE. See Parts 1 & 2 for the introduction to this series. I pray we lean into those messages and stories in these challenging days and weeks or months. Fear is not the end of the story…true messages beyond Coronavirus are legitimate and necessary to consider right now, as well!
PEACE is true!
Anyone who knows me knows that I often see my understanding of truth through natural metaphors. For any of you who are like me, I hope this picture offers clarity in what I am suggesting. Who knows what a rip current is? It is a strong current that rips alongshore and carries everything in its wake out toward open water and down current. Those who get caught in a rip current have two choices. Fight it as hard as you can and make for shore against it (few humans are strong enough) – or – wait while you tread water and let it carry you out and down the coast a bit until the current tapers off as it always does, and then smoothly swim to shore. The problem is we humans so often try to fight the things that cause pain, we worry about how bad it will get, and we often break in the process. We don’t do peaceful well, when there is challenge or conflict around us. I know this because it has happened to me…I have done this…and it has broken me. Thankfully, God carried me through each time. In retrospect, I realize I missed the peace I should have held onto during those experiences. I could have held onto God’s peace as I waited – treading water, until the way to shore was safe again.
Why can’t we fight the rip-current? The easy answer is: We humans are not made to fight rip-currents. We weren’t made for that. We don’t have paddles for hands and propellers for feet. We have hands and feet that do a great job of keeping us afloat for a while till the danger passes. We have feet that are designed to move us closer to one another and hands that are perfectly suited to offer kind touch and supportive care. We are given wise minds to fight the urge to fight rip-currents, and sustain our energy in peace till the route to solid ground is manageable. We are given hearts that grieve with those in pain and rejoice with those who rejoice. And we are given mouths and tongues to speak words of truth, praise and proclaim joy – as well as consolation and understanding in the midst of pain. The reality is each of these abilities are gifts that help us stay afloat, holding onto peace…and when we combine them with each other they give life to those around us and help us all stay afloat even longer till the rip-current subsides. We are made to hold onto and share peace, even in the midst of challenges.
So many times in the Psalms, David affirms that those who wait on God will be rescued. He promises that those who wait for God’s answer will receive it. The reason they have to wait for it is that they want it before the right timing, so by waiting – in trusting confidence…peace – they will be ready to respond when God’s timing arrives. (Just a few: Psalm 27:14, 37:7, 40:1, 59:9; and Lamentations 3:22-27)
I have hope-sustaining faith that storms and viruses have their moment, but they are not the end of the story. I have faith that each day lives are born on earth and lives on earth also die – and however joyful or sad those moments are – we must accept them as a part of real life. I have faith that there is an eternal epilogue to each of our earthly stories. And I have faith that for each person who chooses faith in the saving grace of Christ gains an epilogue of joy. Faith ushers Hope and Peace into our now. And people of faith are called to share their gifts with those around them. Certainly not in self-centered ways that make them look good – and we see plenty of examples of this – but as kind people would offer any gift: with deference, humility, respect, and the realization that not every gift is desired or accepted…or perhaps that it might be accepted better at another time, and so they wait with patience to offer that gift.
Isaiah 26:3-4
3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! 4 Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock.
God give us peace as we discern right timing! Help us to reject fear and hold onto your sustaining presence during times of waiting so we respond at the right times and in the right ways to the opportunities you provide!
Fear not! Wait Expectantly – ready to respond – while holding onto peace and trusting the outcome to God!
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