Cling to Jesus' Peace

John 14:27
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 only peace I know I can depend on is Jesus’ peace.

My life has not followed a straight path. I doubt yours has either. I changed jobs several times. Each time, a bit of fear crept in. When I got the call that I had been chosen for an interview at the last job I worked at, fear didn’t just creep in, it held me in its grasp. I was moving from an elementary school, where I loved the students, teachers, and staff, to academia where I knew no one. Being on the employee side of academics is much different than attending classes as a student. The people I was about to meet and interview with had expectations and requirements different from my previous employer. Would I be good enough? Did I have enough experience? Would I meet their expectations. Being under the microscope magnified my fear as I was leaving the comfort of my hometown and heading into a new realm.

After many questions, I passed the interview and got the job where I worked for twelve years and eventually retired from. Had I not depended on Jesus’ peace, I would not have made it through the questions or the twelve years. His peace kept me grounded.

In John fourteen, Jesus is preparing the disciples for his departure from the world. They are in for big changes and no doubt fear had crept in and overwhelmed them, but Jesus prepared his followers. He shared the key to overcoming fear. His peace.

He gave his peace to the ones who loved him, and he still does. He offers his peace to each of us through the Holy Spirit. It’s within reach through prayer and God’s word.

When the world goes sideways or your heart is troubled, cling to Jesus’ peace.