Friday, March 31, 2023

God’s Peace​

4Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. 5Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. 6Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. 8Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:4-9
My favorite Bible story comes from Paul’s letter to the Philippians. During my childhood I had the same two pastors, they didn’t baptize me, but they were called to the church before I can remember. The one pastor ended every sermon she preached with, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). As a kid and teen, I found comfort, hope, and joy in these words, even when I had no idea what the sermon had been about. Perhaps some of the joy was knowing that we would soon sing the Hymn of the Day, one of my favorite parts of a worship service. Now that I am a bit older, with four kids of my own, I wonder if God had planted a seed within my heart and mind all those years ago to help me find God’s peace in all circumstances. 
God’s peace finds me especially when I least expect it. The peace can calm me in my anxious moments, my moments of worry or fear, and God’s peace finds me in when I am overjoyed. This peace is hard to explain, but I hope you have experienced this peace that guards us with God’s love and comfort. And if you have yet to recognize God’s peace in your life, know that it is with you always.
Let us pray, Holy God, thank you for your peace that defies our understanding and keeps our entire being safe in your love. Strengthen us to live our lives in your way of love for all people, through Christ we pray, Amen. 
Pastor Becky Horn