Contemplating Peace

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. — Philippians 4:6-7

For days now this verse has had me contemplating peace. It’s a word that appears to have universal meaning yet seems to have multiple sources of origin. That’s the part I’m contemplating. What does peace mean and where does it come from? There’s inner peace and world peace. Seemingly different but I’m beginning to wonder if they are connected in a way we’ve yet to consider.

As Christians we are in constant pursuit of God’s peace. We know from the Scriptures above that the peace we want is God’s. As Jesus said, “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” (John 14:27).

Even here Jesus is clear to differentiate between his peace and its source from the world’s peace. The second part implies that peace is possible despite the presence of trouble and fear, as does Philippians 4:6-7.

Take a trip with me here…I can only ponder and wonder if this is because of the source. The peace Christ speaks of as his must have eternal origins as he is eternal. It’s a peace that exists independent of circumstances, conditions, feelings, and biases. Eternity is, well, eternal and unchanging, unaffected in its existence by the workings of men.

Worldly peace tends to rely upon the external, completely dependent upon circumstances, conditions, feelings, biases, and people. The world strives to control these conditions to bring some semblance of peace with the goal of achieving it on a global scale. But we know the efforts of men are tremulous at best and the enemy prowls around intent to destroy and keep the world in chaos.

One aspect still intrigues me and I will continue to grasp its full meaning. Philippians 4:7 not only speaks of God’s peace as transcending all understanding, but also as something that guards our hearts and minds. Peace is not simply a state of mind and heart we seek to achieve. It’s also part of the protection we receive from the armor of God.

…and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. —Ephesians 6:15

To ponder the peace of God seems to take us right to the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ. When we share God’s Son, we offer others not only a glimpse of the eternity God set in our hearts (Ecc. 3:11) long ago, but a hope for peace internally and externally.

Praying and believing,
Dineen

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