peace /pes/ noun

1. freedom from disturbance; tranquility.
2. a state or period in which there is no war or a war has ended.

Peace is mentioned in four hundred verses in scripture.  Within those four hundred verses, twenty-four of those are direct quotes of Jesus Christ.  When we look at the studies of numerology of scripture, we find that twenty-four is a multiple of twelve, associated with heavenly government and worship – just as Israel was a replica of Heaven. Do we think that it might be possible that peace is a form of worship? And let’s not forget that eight and three are a great combination for twenty-four, possibly meaning that peace is the foundation of divine perfection and new beginnings.

September begins my favorite section of the calendar year. First of all, it is the beginning of my birthday month. Yes, I said month. And you should feel bad for those who live with me. College football begins and baseball kicks into gear. Pumpkin spice is here, and all things fall – colors of leaves changing, coolness in the air, pumpkin pie, pumpkin roll, pumpkin scent. We embrace Petro’s and sweaters. I create reasons to wear sweatshirts and scarves. The launch of the notation that the end of year is near. And as we all know, the end of year brings the clean slate of yet another new beginning.

Fall is also the launch of me beginning the countdown to my most favorite days – Thanksgiving and Christmas. Last year, I felt I conquered the goal of making slowness and peace as a priority from November 1 – December 31. Conquering a goal is important to me – every goal. And this year I am aiming towards an even better achievement of resting in the goodness of God. So often we find ourselves in a tizzy of checklists and motion. We obsess about dirty houses, weeds and laundry. We forget to embrace the cuddles and the mess. And then one day, they are over. Kids are grown, moments for memories are over. As I sit and think about myself turning thirty-eight this year, I am likely near the middle of my life. Have I lived these years to the fullest? Do I have regrets or just moments to improve and course correct?

Today, I am making plans for the peace that I desire in November and December. I am planning on peace. We plan on so many things – events, moments, etc. But do we make plans for peace? And if so, how? I have found that one of my most favorite passages of scripture is found in Luke 8 when a storm forms on the Sea of Galilee when Jesus and the disciples are on the boat. The disciples panic. Jesus sleeps. The disciples question their faith. Jesus sleeps. The disciples wonder if they are following the right One. Jesus sleeps. The disciples are surprised. Jesus is a peace.

Planning on peace doesn’t mean difficulties won’t come your way. Planning for peace means that when the storm is all around you, instead of panic and fear – you crawl up beside Jesus in the boat and go to sleep too. I have found that this journey constantly consists of trouble, pain, suffering, difficulty and obstacles. And being a Christian can often mean that these are more than normal. But He speaks to peace in the storm. He speaks to calm in the chaos. Peace only comes from holding as tight as you can to Jesus. Holding onto Jesus means an intimate relationship that never stops in communication. His Truth is truer than our emotions. His Word is more accurate than our feelings and thoughts. His Name is more powerful than our anger or sadness.

In a world being tossed back and forth with the waves – go to sleep with Jesus.

In John 20:26, some of the last quoted words of Christ, He repeats three times “Peace be with you.”  He made it some of His last words and He repeated it three times – how should we view the priority of being peaceful?