Peace. it does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. it means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.
I thought it was peace that I found when I was out running, biking, or swimming. For me, it's been my escape from the responsibilities, realities, and burdens of my life - if only for a few hours. I get to choose what I dwell on and for how long. I don't have to answer my Crackberry or respond to emails or pay bills or deal with the negativity that seems to be pushing in from all sides. I find the strength I need to cope with whatever life's bringing at the moment. But soon after I'm done with the workout, it's back to reality. And that's when I quickly lose the peace. And that leads me to question whether or not it was true peace.
A good friend of mine recently pointed out that there are far too many times when I'm thinking about other things and worrying about stuff to the extent that it's obvious I'm not enjoying the moment. I hate to admit it, but she's right. I'm not at peace 100% of the time, and I struggle to get there. And I know it's robbing me of the joy that God intends for my life. Inherently, I also know that I need to trust an unknown future to a known God. I can pretty much quote all of the Bible verses which remind me that He will gladly take on my worries, burdens, fears, and that I should cast ALL of my cares on Him. But quoting verses and living the verses are two different things.
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrows, it empties today of it's strength" - Corrie ten Boom.
So how do I get there? It is so much easier said than done. Where do I find that elusive peace, the real kind that doesn't fade away when I return from a workout. It's easy to find peace during a run or ride because the noise and trouble have been left behind, if only for a few hours. True peace comes from FULLY trusting in the Lord, that He will guide my path and provide for all of my needs, even in the midst of the nastiness that life sometimes brings. Trusting in the Lord requires a relationship with him. It requires getting to know Him better, which requires immersing myself in the Word and committing to spend time with Him each day. Admittedly, I've not done enough of that. So I've pretty much figured out that the peace I find during my workouts isn't really true peace at all. In a sense, it's no different than the "peace" that some people find in alcohol, drugs, or unhealthy relationships. The peace that I want is the peace that passes all understanding.....the peace that's permanent, not fleeting. Not the peace of this world, but the peace of His. It's out there if I want it and if I seek Him with all of my heart. And the beauty is that it doesn't require running shoes, a bike, or swim goggles.....
"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid". - John 14:27
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