April 23, 2010 - Priscilla Bowman

April 23, 2010

“You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on YOU, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:30

My paraphrase: “Jesus will keep me in perfect peace because my mind is on Him and I trust Him.”

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

Before I knew that Andy was accepting an assignment to another church and would be leaving us, he had asked me to write a few paragraphs about “change” for this booklet. I had begun to pray and think about what I could write that would be of any help or consequence to anyone and kept coming up with the word “peace.” Peace during change because one thing is certain, change always happens. In church the following Sunday, I heard the news and immediately thought, “Wow, we are in for a change!” And I had to go to Jesus immediately so I would not be troubled or afraid.

Looking up the word peace, I found the following synonyms: to be still, in tranquility, at ease, comfortable, harmonious, undisturbed, not agitated by persecution, sickness, bereavement, sorrow (even when our beloved pastor is moving).

Peace in the storm does not depend on the state of the world, our affairs, purposes or problems but a peace that is fixed upon God. It is an attitude of knowing that God has a firm hold on us as we have a firm hold on God. Not trusting in our own strength but God’s. He is our rock/anchor. This Rock is a firm and lasting foundation for hope and faith. He is the anchor that holds you in place during a storm.

When you call upon Jesus when a storm hits us as the disciples did when the storm hit as they were crossing the Galilean Sea, He will arise and rebuke the wind and sea with calm, “Peace be still” Mark 4:39. Take all the perplexity, concerns, difficulties, hurts and call out to Jesus and hear his voice saying, “Let not your heart be troubled.” If you bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ (2nd Corinthians 10:5) you can be assured that the storm will cease in your heart because the Spirit of God and your faith will work together.

Remember quiet tension is not trust, it is simply compressed anxiety. Sometimes we are just controlling panic, but true faith gives not just a calm exterior but a quiet heart as we have promises of God. They are enough no matter how the storms rage, to anchor onto. I encourage you to go through your Bible and begin a list of all the promises God has given us. Keep it handy for troublesome times.

And as for Andy leaving, I take a thought from a very wise young girl, who quoted Dr. Seuss when faced with grief over leaving Ruston to go back to Kazakhstan, “Don’t cry because it is over, smile because it happened.” I would even say rejoice because it happened, for we have had the privilege of having Andy for ten years.

Grace be unto you and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:2).

Priscilla Bowman