In the summer of 1979 — as I was working with the church in Toledo, Washington — we had a congregational campout at the beautiful and serene Spirit Lake in the shadow of majestic Mount Saint Helens. It was such a calm setting for our personal reflection and worship together. There in the peaceful midst of part of God’s grand creation we were able to withdraw from the otherwise hectic demands of life.
That winter we took our young people to play in the beautiful white snow up at the turnaround on the mountain. She seemed so majestic and peaceful as we played together in fresh snow. But in a few months that all quickly changed.
The violent eruption of Mount Saint Helens [44 years ago today] was not due to any elements without. Rather, there was something unsettling going on within. Sunday morning, May 18, 1980, as we were heading toward the church building, the unrest within the mountain broke loose with a power hard to describe. The side of the mountain gave way as the large ash plume billowed into the sky with flashes of lightning generated within it. However, the cloud got high enough it ended up blowing the other direction. (We received the ash fallout, waking up to pitch dark the following weekend with the second major eruption.)
Unsettled within! Isn’t it the same with us? Is it not more what is happening within us — rather than any conflict without — that determines whether we are at peace or not? Anger, worry, desires focused on the wrong things, etc. — all that creates unrest, discontent, and a lack of peace in our life. Jesus told the disciples they would have troubles in this world, but could still have His peace. (John 16:33) His peace can be experienced even when there are conflicts in the world around us because His peace is an inside job to calm the unrest that might otherwise be there. In our relationship with Him, as we continue to acknowledge His sovereignty and the fact He has overcome the world (John 16:33), there should be a calming affect on our life. It is a peace that is to affect, from within, how we respond and react to what is going on around us.
Writing to Christians at Colossae Paul urged. . .
“(15) And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15 ESV)
The Greek word Paul used which is translated “rule” is in the imperative. It is to happen. It must take place. It is a word (brabeuo) which literally points to one acting as an umpire (brabeus) to arbitrate or decide. Sometimes we need to hear the whistle blow, to stop the play, to provide a moment to calmly consider our move or get back into life’s game as God intended it to be lived. The peace of Christ is to decide between all we face in a way that we, calmly within, can take note of what truly matters. We are then enabled to move on in a way revealing our utmost trust is in His sovereignty and we are at peace in our relationship with Him. The mind and heart are not to be set on the world’s conflicts, but rather above; on Christ where He is seated as the Authority over all. (Colossians 3:1-2) We, in Him, have the assurance of victory; a truth which should have a great calming effect within us.
May His peace — not the world’s (John 14:27) — be the rule (the umpire) as we go about our daily life. It is the peace our Lord desires to be instilled in our life presently. May we truly be at rest in His peace!
Have a great day TRULY EXPERIENCING THE PEACE THAT SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING! (Philippians 4:7)
Carl
