I Am Leaving You a Gift

Greetings,

A large portion of our great nation is about to experience something known as the polar vortex.  It means that extremely cold weather is headed their way with some temperatures dipping to -50 degrees.  What?  Here in Miami it’s 100 degrees warmer, literally, and it feels so chilly. I, who never wear socks or closed-toe shoes (if I can help it), am wearing red slippers with non-skid soles, I haven’t taken off my bath robe in two days, and no more iced-coffee for the time being.   Even Hershey Pie has taken to snuggling underneath his doggie blanket.  I cannot even begin to wrap my head around how my neighbors to the north are feeling!

And yet, I read a Bible verse that warmed me right up this morning: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart…” (John 14:27).

Jesus is the one speaking in this verse, and He, the Prince of Peace, has very lovingly and generously decided to share.  He wants peace to settle over us like a comfortable, covering, blanket.  He wants to keep the chill of fear out of our lives.  He is very precise in describing the gift He has left us too.  He did not say He was leaving us money, fame, or even joy.  Could it be that He left peace because without it, noting else in life is enjoyable?

So how do we avail ourselves of this peace? It seems so elusive at times, maybe most of the time. 

Peace comes through constant, proactive fellowship with our Lord.  When we are in harmony with God, seeking Him, calling on Him, inviting Him into our lives, doing things His way, then peace becomes a natural and welcomed part of our life. 

All the peace we will ever need to live a blessed life is already available; we just have to unwrap it.

PRAYER: Dear Lord, we seek You now and every day because we need peace.  We need to know that You are in control. That You have a wonderful plan for our life. That You have a solution for every difficulty we face. That You have us covered.  In other words, thank You for the privilege of prayer whereby we talk things over with You and walk away comforted knowing that Your ways are ways of life and peace.  In Jesus’ name, AMEN.