“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27 (CEB)
A friend of mine likes to take familiar phrases and tweak one little element to turn them into morphed but poignant thoughts. Conversation-starters. Thought-provokers. Sometimes devotion-prompts.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones…but words cut deeper than that. Much deeper.” “Slow and steady wins the race, unless someone else is faster and has learned endurance.” “If you can’t say something nice, don’t post on Facebook. Please.” “A bicycle built for tutus.” Okay, her word twists don’t all make sense.
My friend might turn “I’ll give you a piece of my mind” into “I’ll give you a peace of my mind.” What would happen to our relationships if we continually gave people a “peace” of our mind? Could that idea have been in Jesus’ mind when He told His disciples—and us by association—that He was giving us His peace? Not just peace, but His peace?
READ MORE: SCRIPTURE TO DE-STRESS
From Jesus’ perspective, peace doesn’t mean the absence of war, or a mere paper truce. Another passage of Scripture tells us, “He is our peace.” This is no ordinary peace He promises. It’s a peace that surpasses understanding. That deep. That unexplainable. That generous.
That rare in value but abundant in volume. That remarkable. What the world wouldn’t give for peace like that….The world couldn’t give it. Only Jesus could. Only Jesus did. And He offered it freely to us. He gave us a peace of His mind.
Faith Step: Fill out a card with this statement: “Because of His peace—not an ordinary peace—I will not be afraid of ______________.” Add as many blanks as you wish, reflecting the truth applied to your life.
