The World's Peace
This peace happens only in the calm. It's the peace that a young lady spoke of last Friday night when the teacher asked what peace is. Trying to gather her thoughts, she stammered, "It's a - you know - calm peace. It's when everything's quiet. Yeah, when everything's quiet you can have peace." This young lady echoed exactly what the world says - you can only have peace when life's quiet. Peace is when there's no wars going on. Peace is when everyone's out of the house and you're alone. Peace is sailing on calm waters. The world says that as soon as trouble arises, any chance of peace vanishes. Wikipedia defines peace as, "a state of harmony characterized by the lack of violent conflict." According to Wikipedia, peace is when there's no violence taking place, no interruptions, or concerns or problems. This is the world's peace - a peace that takes place only in the quiet.
True Peace
So what's the peace that Paul was taking about in Galatians 5:22-23? It's the pure opposite of the world's peace. This is a peace that happens, yes, in calm times, but also in crazy times! It's a peace that you have in the hectic times. It's a peace that carries you through stormy seas. When the rain's pouring and the wind's thrashing and the crashing waves batter the boat, you have this peace. When wars take place, and death and pain occur, you have this peace. When your house is filled to the brim with arguing siblings and frustrated parents and tired grandparents and you feel like your ear drums are about to explode, you can have this peace. And why? Because this is a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7). This is the peace of God, true peace. This is the peace that we get by placing our hope in Christ, by not focusing on our problem-filled world, but on our eternal home, heaven. We get this peace by resting solely in our sovereign Lord. This is a peace that takes place in the calm and in the storm. Peace that takes place in the heat of battle and when the war's over. Peace that takes place in an empty house and a full house. This is true peace - peace that doesn't occur just when life's quiet, but at every moment during our chaotic lives. We can rest in our omnipotent Lord and have true peace.
So let's pray along with David in Psalm 29:11, "May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!"