Day Ten

Day Ten // March 7 // Finding It Again (Growing Peace)

“God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing.” – C. S. Lewis –

The world is full of cheap imitations. We substitute lust for love. We substitute money for value. We substitute fleeting happiness for eternal joy. But like everything we try to manufacture, there is a shelf-life to our diversions. Trophies tarnish. Happiness dims. And lust’s eyes wander.

As C.S. Lewis says, outside of God there is no real peace. There is no meaningful substitute or alternative source. Peace is the very real fruit that grows in (and only in) the life of faith. Does that mean that we won’t face storms and difficulties? Does it mean that we won’t struggle or doubt? Of course not. What it means, though, is that even as the storms rage on the outside,

we can be held by a resolved sense of peace within – knowing He still calms the storms with but the words of His mouth: “Peace. Be still.”

The philosopher once said, “I do not want the peace which passeth understanding; I want the understanding which bringeth peace.” Understanding. Knowing. Trusting. These are the seeds that reap a harvest of peace. Goodness. Vulnerability. Righteousness. These are soil where they are planted.

“Righteousness and peace kiss,” the Psalmist penned. It’s a pairing found throughout the Bible, an intimate relationship between the peace we seek from God and the righteousness He seeks from us: doing the right thing, at the right time, in the right way, for the right reason. If we are truly searching for peace – and who isn’t? – then we must be willing to prepay the tariff on its receipt. We must be willing – eager, even – to live a life worthy of peace. We must tend the fragile soil of our lives, casting aside every stone of malice, deceit, and pride, to furrow the ground where peace might grow from righteous seeds of a faithful life well lived.

WEEK THREE: Stridence – The Rot of Patience & Gentleness –

“Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient.” – Colossians 3:5-6 –