PEACE RULES

Peace carries authority. Authority is inherent because Jesus is authorized to give it. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus is the master architect and has bestowed it divinely – He gave peace “not as the world gives.” (John 14:27)

I was agitated, restless, conflicted, and in turmoil at the thought of being together at a family event. He was offended by me – and there was no doubt. The offense had been years in the making. Nurtured and formed into a stone barrier, it had become an impenetrable fortress. We were not at peace. I justified my actions and attitude. I struggled not to care. Tried as I might, to forgive, to not hold anything against him – peace eluded me.

The voice of peace is divinely tuned to the ears of your heart. Peace is a benevolent dictator designed to govern your thoughts, choices, and actions. The directives of peace may not always seem logical. So, taking hold of peace and walking in it requires TRUST.

I would be visiting family in his city and there was a probability of seeing him. My anxiety increased at the prospect. Jesus told me it was time to be a peacemaker – just like He is. The restlessness in my heart proved that peace was not ruling. I had dethroned it by my justifications and excuses. I had to find peace and knew the pathway was confession, admission, humility, and forgiveness. The payoff at the end of this trail is beautiful, but its level of difficulty is extreme.

The voice of peace is divinely tuned to the ears of your heart.

Peace works in harmony with conscience and faith and captains feelings and emotions. Peace is a state of calm, stability, confidence, tranquility, harmony, unity, and intimacy.

The absence of peace might be more quickly identified. When peace is dethroned, opposite and powerful conditions are created: fear, anxiety, agitation, turmoil, hostility, conflict, and war.

I contacted my friend. I began at the trailhead of humility and scaled a rock slide of confession. Through brambles of admission, I trudged along patiently – drinking of the GRACE of GOD and attending to the Holy Spirit’s encouragement. When I eventually arrived at the stone fortress, it supernaturally crumbled under the power of reconciliation. Peace between us ensued, once again ruling in our hearts – and our friendship. The view at the end of the trail was spectacular! And together, side-by-side, we embarked on a new trail before us.

Peace is like a fuel gauge. It measures the condition of your relationships and your choices. It alerts you when course corrections should be taken. A fuel gauge has no power within itself to run your car. But if your tank is full, the gauge has the power to give you confidence, security, and calm to continue driving. As the tank empties and the gauge approaches a warning, anxiety increases. If not addressed, the prospect of running out before reaching your destination is cause for fear, anger, and conflict. The gauge has the power to command your next steps.

Keep your eye on the gauge of peace. Don’t ignore it. Respect it. Listen to it. Allow it to rule in your heart. It’s authorized by Jesus and is there to protect you and free you to walk in a state of confident calm.

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts…”
– Colossians 3:15

“Peace – Moraine Lake” is the cover photo for the 2024 Calendar