A couple of months ago, God placed a 30-something woman in the seat next to mine on a flight bound for Minneapolis. The woman slept for the first hour or so, but when she woke from her nap, she immediately engaged me in an amazing , God-ordained conversation. Here’s how it started:
“What do you do?” she asked.
“I write magazine articles and books, and I co-direct a non-profit organization that focuses on Eastern Europe.”
“You write? I’ve always wanted to write a book,” she said.
“Really? What would it be about?” I asked. The woman fell silent. She seemed stymied, so I gave her a prompt: “If you could write what’s on your heart, what would your message be?”
Her face lit up. “I’m on a personal quest,” she said. “I’m searching for peace. Have you found it yet?”
Wow. I shot an arrow prayer heavenward, asking for wisdom and the right words. I told her about Jesus, the Prince of Peace, and how He has enabled me to face very difficult situations with a confidence that’s impossible on my own. She asked numerous questions, and again, I prayed for right answers. Our conversation lasted until the plane landed and we parted ways. She didn’t place her faith in Jesus that day, but I know spiritual seeds were planted in her heart. God will water them and bring them to harvest.
Since that day, I’ve noticed several articles written about peace. Their titles usually read something like, “The Quest for Peace,” “Five Steps to Peace,” or “How to Find Peace in a Chaotic World.” Regardless of their title, their content is similar, offering readers specific strategies to find calm in the storms of life.
Sometimes those strategies are empty fluff; sometimes not. In my experience, I’ve found the most meaningful acknowledge Jesus as the gate leading to the pathway to peace. Luke 1:78,79 confirms this:
“Because of God’s tender mercy, the morning light from heaven is about to break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, and to guide us to the path of peace.”
Jesus – the morning light from heaven – came to earth 2,000 years ago. Titled “the Prince of Peace,” He alone can grant us true peace in the midst of chaos. Granted, there are specific steps we can take to promote peace in our lives, but He is the foundation.
On Friday, I’ll list several specific strategies we can take to find peace. Until then, marvel in God’s tender mercy as shown through His sending the morning light from heaven to shine on us.
Question: What’s your secret to peace in the midst of a difficult situation?
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