Step into the Peace

Someone once told me that the way to know that you are following God's will is to "step into the peace". I didn't understand what he meant. How do you know if you are stepping into the peace? How do you know that is God's will?

I understand it better now.

When Jesus met with his disciples near the end of their time together, one of the last things he told them was this:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

The idea is that where Jesus is, there will be peace. I can't tell you how many times that has been a guiding truth in my life. Now the truth about you and me is that we are sinners and we will lie to ourselves to justify what we want. "Peace" can never be the only indicator that you are experiencing and following God's will for your life. Before peace, you need to make sure these things line up:

• Is this consistent with the Word of God?
• Is this reflective of the person of God?
• Do other believers affirm this to be the direction/will of God?
• Have I prayed about it and has it been confirmed in prayer?

When all of those things line up, and you step into the peace, it is my experience that you will find that Jesus is there.

There was one time in my ministry when a decision faced our family, and I was very certain that it was the right thing-God's will. (In hindsight, I now realize I was lying to myself. It was what I wanted.) Everything else lined up. I answered all of the above questions with a strong affirmative.

But the morning the decision needed to be made, I woke up in a panic. I didn't have peace. I talked to a few trusted believers. They talked me down off the ledge of panic. I convinced myself that I was being silly. And when the decision time came, I ignored my "gut" and stepped into a place where I didn't have peace.

It brought the most pain into my life and ministry.

It was the single greatest growing season in my life and ministry. In fact, I know look back to that season of brokenness and despair and realize it was THE key to everything that followed. Honestly, I couldn't be your pastor today, had I not gone through that dark valley. As one dear friend counseled me in my struggle a few months later, "Kevin, whatever the Lord is teaching you now, you better learn the first time. This isn't a course you want to repeat." Wise words. It shifted my focus.

I stepped out of the peace and reaped a whirlwind. Did you ever do that?

The amazing thing to me is that even there, you can still step into His peace.

The story is told about a huge contest in which great painters were invited to paint their very best portrayal of "Peace". Several entries appeared to be the sure winner! After several paintings had been unveiled only two entries remained. The next was unveiled and a hush fell over those in attendance. Surely this was the winner. It portrayed a beautiful clear night-sky over a calm and still lake, with a flock of sheep sleeping near by. To look at the painting you thought, "peace".

The final painting unveiled was not met with a hush, but a gasp. It was a painting of a raging thunderstorm. Lightening streaks scarred the dark sky, the trees in the painting strained against wind to near breaking. The rain seemed to lash across the canvas and spill out onto the audience. Everyone was thinking the same thing, "How is this peace?"

But upon closer examination, in the branches of one of the wind-whipped trees, a bird nest could be seen. And upon the next, with wings out-stretched a mother bird sheltered her babies from the storm. And she was asleep-at peace.

It won the contest, because the judges recognized that this painting was the most realistic painting of peace in our broken, and difficult world.

Step into the Peace.

It means simply to find the place where Jesus is and there you will experience his comforting presence and peace, regardless of the storm.

On this Memorial Day, may you remember that Jesus is the one who brought us the peace of life-and he brought us that peace through a terrible storm.

May the words of this Psalm, give you peace today.

Psalm 91

1 Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
     will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
 2 This I declare about the Lord:
 He alone is my refuge, my place of safety;
     he is my God, and I trust him.
 3 For he will rescue you from every trap
     and protect you from deadly disease.
 4 He will cover you with his feathers.
     He will shelter you with his wings.
     His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
 5 Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
     nor the arrow that flies in the day.