Peace through the Storm
There once was a king long ago who sought the perfect picture of peace. So, he announced a contest that he hoped would produce this masterpiece. Each day more and more paintings began flowing into his kingdom from all over the land. Finally, the day of revealing came. One picture after another was revealed. Each picture more beautiful than the last. Despite the increasing beauty the king couldn’t help but feel they hadn’t found that perfect picture yet.
As the veil was lifted off the final entry the crowd gasped in shock and horror. This couldn’t be a picture of peace, their expressions shouted. This painting depicted a raging waterfall cascading down a rocky ledge. The skyline showed stormy, grey clouds which threatened to explode with lightning and thunder, and in the midst of the chaos- was a tiny tree. It clung to the rocks at the very edge of the waterfall, and resting upon its branch was a little bird. It had built its nest, and there it sat, content and undisturbed. Her eyes were closed, and her wings nestled her little one as she manifested a peace that surpassed all earthly turmoil.
I couldn’t help but think of this story this week as hurricane Ian hit Florida. This hurricane had been accumulating its strength and brought fear and destruction. But as they do, the storm passed. Unfortunately, there’s another storm that’s brewing. It’s one that never gives up. It’s the storm that is constantly at war with out Spirit. The winds and rains of Ian devastated homes, but the world has been devastating our homes long before this.
Isa. 5:20 says “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” The world attacks us with wrong, and tells us it’s right. This attack makes many hesitant or even a little fearful. Mt. 10:28 reads, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.”
The storm has moved on from Florida. People will rebuild a sense of peace. But finding a sense of peace is not the same as actually having it. The people from the story were shocked when they saw the last picture of peace because they have a misconception of what peace really is. Jesus said in John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
The peace Jesus gives isn’t what people are expecting. It’s not tranquility here on earth. The peace he offers is everlasting. We are blessed with the mindset to understand and know that when we leave this earth, we have eternal life. The man from the story wanted a picture of peace, but true peace is found in Christ Jesus. Preparation is key There is no peace found in sin, only inevitable death. John 16:33 reads, “These things I have spoke to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”