Peace in the Midst of Chaos and Joy
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“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” – John 14:27 (ESV)
Life can seem topsy-turvy when it’s time to go back to school. Getting up early to a buzzing alarm, hearing the cha-ching of the cash register as we shop for school clothes, making last-minute lunches with healthy items kids might not even eat, buying school supplies and hoping they’re the right ones, meeting a new teacher—all these hallmarks of “back to school” ensure parents have a crazy number of responsibilities on their minds to prepare their children for the school year. And teachers? Teachers face new schedules, new students, and new requirements. Duty seems to overshadow the satisfaction of a new school season.
But joys often offset the stresses. Parents proudly walk their kids to classrooms, pray for new teachers, enjoy free moments during the day, and appreciate taking that “First Day of School” photograph. Teachers cherish those fresh faces, anticipate teaching what they love, and shift into an everyday schedule that feels orderly once again.
Back to school is a transition. But transitions can be hard. They demand preparation and pacing. And, although not everyone sends kids back to school, everyone moves into the fall season facing what can feel like longer work days, leaving the seemingly idyllic summer behind. Both joys and tension are a part of it!
The question is: Can we enjoy peace in the midst of both the turmoil and pleasures of this time of year—or, really, any time of year?
John 14:27 reminds us of the peace of Jesus that only He provides and that helps us in times of uncertainty!
Jesus says that He has left us with His peace. What does that peace look like? That peace “guards our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” and “surpasses all understanding,” according to Paul in Philippians 4:7. That is a peace I want—a peace that roots deeply into my soul, a peace that overtakes my heart and mind so much that I can feel the warmth of His presence, even in the midst of trials.
Jesus contrasts His peace with what the world gives. The world has no answer when stress assaults us. The world offers us no hope. The world’s peace, Jesus tells us, leaves us troubled in spirit. It leaves us skittish. By contrast, the peace Jesus gives leaves us serene and unafraid.
What a peace! This true peace that only God offers can sustain us through any transition we experience. Whether it is seasonal, such as back to school, or longer term, such as hearing an unwanted medical diagnosis, the peace of Jesus is there for us. As we remain in Christ, our lives can reflect a tranquil steadiness in which we journey through fire with faithfulness and hope.
Go to Jesus in both the joys and uncertainties of life! May the back to school season be a time when you transition well, navigating kids and new situations, remembering Jesus has given you His comforting peace.
Questions for Reflection:
1. How is your transition into the back-to-school season? Do you love it? Do you pace yourself? If not, what prevents you from easing into it more gracefully? Pray about this, remembering the promises of John 14:27.
2. Are there other times of stress when you feel the need for Jesus’s peace? Look up Isaiah 26:3, Psalm 4:8, and John 16:33. Bask in these promises of God, and delight in trusting in Him.
