Peace in the Midst of Uncertainty

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27 NKJV)
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​Image by marcelkessler from Pixabay

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Peace beyond all human understanding.
Peace not as the world gives it.
Talk of peace at a time like this?
Suffering all around – across the globe,
Uncertainty:
Will I get COVID -19 or will I escape it?
How long will I have to stay home?
Are my supplies enough to sustain me?
How can I tell who has the virus?
Are the statistics accurate?
Is enough being done to contain it?
Should I wear a mask?
And the stress goes on in this Lenten season…
 
The first lent some two thousand years ago
A young man took upon Himself the stress of the world.
He was:
Incarcerated
Interrogated
Crowned with thorns
Mockingly robed in purple
Convicted though innocent
Spat upon
Beaten to a pulp
Then given a heavy wooden cross to carry
Nailed to the cross
Mocked incessantly
Given vinegar to drink
Died on the cross
 
Why? Why? Why?
He did nothing wrong.
Au contraire He did nothing but good:
Healed the sick
Fed spiritual and physical hunger
Gave peace to the tormented
Reconciled the ostracised with the community
Raised the dead
Forgave sins
Calmed storms
Rebuked oppressors
 
Why then the stress?
This young man, fully God, fully man absorbed all these stressors
For me
For you
For all people
 
Why? Why? Why?
To give us peace.
His death and resurrection defeated evil.
All who believe in Him has victory,
Victory over all that comes to steal our peace.
Child of God victory is yours,
Victory over COVID-19 and all the stress that comes with it.
No need to be anxious,
Speak your cares to God giving thanks.
Saturate yourself with the peace that Jesus gives
He has overcome the world
He paid dearly with His life for this peace He so generously gives.
Surrender to it, the only authentic peace available to humans.
Peace not as the world gives…
Peace above all human understanding…
 
Veronica Sutherland