A Crisp Winter’s Peace
My husband called, “Honey, the roads are awful here at work. I’ll be late coming home.” The forecast for the Great Lakes area predicted slick, white-out conditions between Boaz’s workplace in the Motor City and home. He confirmed the hazardous road conditions headed for his car
“Drive safely!” I worried because drivers there would be in a hurry to get home. Many lived in the suburbs at least half an hour away from their work, but we lived an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Boaz’s place of employment. We hadn’t been married long. So after my first husband died several years before, the thought of Boaz being in a car accident was unbearable. I continually prayed for his safe return home.
Snow crunching under the vehicles’ tires reached my ears. They crept carefully along the highway in front of our home because snow plows and salt trucks hadn’t come along our road yet.
As I gazed out the kitchen window while sipping my tea, I watched snow flurries twirl onto a glittering blanket with the earth snuggled up for a long slumber. The faintly visible sunset shone onto the field behind our home. A crisp winter’s peace filled my heart. God would carry my sweetheart safely home. Late, but safe.
In John 14, Jesus comforts His disciples after He tells them He will leave them soon. He would send the Holy Spirit to be with them and teach them. They didn’t want to be left without Him. As He explained because they knew Him they were secure. He gave them these departing words, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give you.” (John 14:27) Still dazed at this news, He tells them they need to go. Can you imagine their inner turmoil? Yet He promised them peace.
As followers of Christ, Jesus gives us peace, unlike the world—peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Are you facing a job loss? You can have peace knowing the Lord provides. Are you worried about the violence in our world? You can have peace amid uncertainty, knowing He sees and loves you. Do you fear for your future with a scary health diagnosis? You can have peace knowing He is with you. Has your sweetheart died, leaving you alone? Knowing God has not forgotten you in your loneliness and pain, you can have peace. Whatever you are going through, you can trust Him to give you peace.
I’ve found this practice helpful: Write down what worries you. Next, look up the word peace in the Bible. Write the verses that stand out and place them where you can read them. Then, write affirmations like “I will have peace because ____________________.” considering your situation and your selected Bible verses. And then offer them to God in prayer.
Questions for Reflection:
1. What scary circumstances do you face right now?
2. How can you let go of the fear to receive Jesus’s gift of peace?
