Finding Peace 

   “Set your mind on the Spirit and on the things of God, and soon your heart finds peace and life itself.” (Allen Hunt, “Nine Words”) 

   We all desire peace but we often look for it in all the wrong places.  The only source of real peace is God.

   Not only do we far too often look for peace where peace cannot be found, we often don’t even understand what peace means.   We attach the concept of peace with worldly and material items, but peace isn’t found in the world; it is found in the Spirit of God and following His will.

   Because we live in a material world there are certain things we must attend to.  We must provide for our needs as well as those of our family, so a job is needed.  Shelter, food, medical care, long term planning for the future are all things that we should concern ourselves with.  But these things should not take priority over our spiritual needs.

   Even if we live a life of poverty and privation, our eternal life can be one of joy and plenty.  We will find love, happiness, and peace beyond imagination if we have properly prepared for that coming.  Only then will we know what peace really means and how foolish we were to think it could be found in this world.

   “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give it to you.  Not as the world gives do I give it to you.  Do not let your hearts be troubled or afraid.” (John 14: 27).  These words of Jesus remind us that the peace we seek isn’t found in worldly things, but in God.