Quiet and Still – a taste of peace and joy
As I awakened this morning, I recalled a scene from 20 years ago.
The mosquitoes were as thick as the police cars outside a donut shop. (Sorry to my police officer friends, the metaphor was too good to pass up.) The view made the mosquito’s presence merely an annoyance. The lake was as smooth as a sheet of glass last night. It bounced back the reflection of the moon in detail. The sky blue pink of the setting sun in the west cast a wondrous reflection. The lone grebe was twinned with his reflection.
Not another person was in sight. The ducks were bedded down for the night, and all was quiet. The lake was at peace. Amid my busy life, it was a rare moment of tranquillity.
It lasted only a moment or two before being shattered by the sound of someone driving by with no muffler. An alarm went off in the fire hall across from the lake.
A loose dog ran by the ducks, sending them flying, quaking in panic. Their wake as they landed again on the lake destroyed the mirror-like stillness. The dog’s owner came into sight, screaming for her dog at the top of her lungs.
Oh well, it was a joy while it lasted. It was a pleasant taste of the peace to come.
Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of lifewith its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever. And he said to me, “These words are trustworthy and true. And the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, has sent his angel to show his servants what must soon take place.” Revelation 22:1-6
As wonderful as that will be, we don’t have to wait to experience true peace. It can be ours today.
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7
Even if the peace of your life explodes in unexpected turmoil, the peace of God can still be yours.
Until next time, may you experience God’s perfect peace.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.