A Placid Place

07.29.13

2 Peter 3.14 14 Therefore, beloved, since you are waiting for these, be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace. (ESV)

I once stood in 2008 with the crowd at our Baker County courthouse and listened to former President Bill Clinton appeal for the presidency of his wife, Hillary. Bill rambled and bombast-ed a bit, but when he got down to the part of appealing for Hillary’s understanding of renewable energy and the jobs such an industry would create, he said, “Hillary gets it!” I thought, yeah, right… Politicians…

There are parts of the Bible I get: I get it that we are called the beloved; I get it that we will be found by Him, that is the Returning Lord, Jesus Christ; I get it we’re to be found by Him without spot or blemish. What I don’t get is the comment about peace.

I suppose I could speculate what Peter meant – I suppose I could concoct some massive theological statement about peace and its place in our relationship with God – I suppose I could, but I won’t.

I think the apostle was telling us to simply relax. We’re to be found by Jesus holy (other) that’s our spotlessness; and we’re to be found by Him at peace; not roiling about at every little (or big) issue on earth or in our private lives. We’re to be happily, confidently at peace with everything in life including our relationship with Jesus which bears peace.

One of my favorite Bible verses is Isaiah 26.3: You [God] keep him [Your child] in perfect peace

whose mind is stayed on you [God], because he [Your child] trusts in you. There is nothing like the peaceful confidence a child has when his head hits the pillow at night knowing he is loved and he loves his mom and dad. Trusting in God takes away all fear and fret no matter the circumstances that would cause such things.

And in a world that is increasingly bizarre, troubled, and psychotic, peace is a wonderful resource to have in the midst of all that. God’s peace is the calm in the storm, the strength in the battle, and the best friend a guy could have when the world in all its madness raises its intimidating head and roars. Peace puts a sock in it.

I want Jesus to find me at peace. I want the Lord to see that I am focused upon Him and I trust that He is in complete control.

Lord God, I trust You. I know things aren’t always as I see them, or want them to be; but my focus is upon You and Your promise is perfect peace, a placid place, when I keep my mind stayed on You. Increase my vision Lord and if I’m to be concerned at all may it only be concerned about the thing of which You are concerned. Other than that, I am at peace. Amen.