Finding True Peace In A Crazy World… Hello weekend readers. A few days ago, I was at our little Methodist Church in Espanola, New Mexico. I came in to work on my music for the weekend and a few of us enjoyed some good coffee and we also wound up thinking about peace. Our fires up here in New Mexico are still raging, people are still worried about Chaco Canyon, and so much more. One person said, “Is there any true peace in our world anymore?” We chatted a bit, but I couldn’t get that question out of my mind so I went through my MANY devotions about peace and I found the one I needed—after 4 hours!!

True story: An art contest was held to find the perfect picture of peace. The challenge stirred the imagination of artists everywhere, and paintings arrived from far and wide. Finally, the great day of revelation arrived, and the field had been narrowed down to two paintings. The judge pulled the cover from the first one and a hush fell over the crowd. A mirror-smooth lake reflected lacy, green birches under the soft blush of the evening sky. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Everyone said “Surely this is the winner!” The judge said, “Remember, we have another one, so hang on and let’s see what it is.

So, when the second painting was uncovered, the crowd gasped in surprise. A tumultuous waterfall cascaded down a rocky precipice; the crowd could almost feel its coldness in the penetrating spray. Stormy-gray clouds threatened to explode with lightning, wind, and rain. In the midst of the thundering noises and bitter chill, the artist put in a spindly tree which was clinging to the rocks at the edge of the falls. But just then, one person said, “Look in that tree, a little bird had built a nest. Look at her, she is so content and she isn’t disturbed what bit in her stormy surroundings. Oh, look at this, she is resting on her eggs!

Everyone was looking at it and many shouted out “we don’t want her to die out there” but she didn’t. Instead, with her eyes closed and her wings ready to cover her little ones, she manifested peace that transcends all earthly turmoil. And those who were watching this started to understand.

How would you be if you were in her place? All I could think of was “small but mighty” and that is exactly what God has for you and me.

In Philippians 4:6-7, [TPT] the Apostle Paul reminds us that it is Jesus who gives us peace no matter where we are… “Don’t be pulled in different directions or worried about a thing. Be saturated in prayer throughout each day, offering your faith-filled requests before God with overflowing gratitude. Tell him every detail of your life, then God’s wonderful peace that transcends human understanding, will guard your heart and mind through Jesus Christ.”

What kind of peace are you looking for? Like the first picture, it was serene and beautiful but it just doesn’t exist. But what happens when the serene is gone and the rolling thunder starts again? The problem is that it just doesn’t exist. But real peace—the kind in the second picture, well this is one that’s ready and available to you when you take shelter in the arms of the Savior!

Here’s a thought to think of each day: “How is your desire for peace unrealistic in the world we live in today?” Knowing that “stormy surroundings” are inevitable in our lives, how can we find true peace to guard our hearts and minds in Christ? I suggest you remember the bird, and close your eyes, and be still, for the Lord will guard your hearts and mind always, AMEN.