Relaxing by the busy street

It was Thursday afternoon. I was driving down a busy street shortly after lunch and the traffic was thick. I thought to myself I was glad I didn't have to drive there often as all that busyness can be stressful. As I drove along I noticed the houses that cornered the busy street and wondered if the homeowners could hear inside their homes the noise of the cars passing by. They could for sure in their backyards, so I thought the people were probably more inside than outside. As I was busy with my thoughts and moving along with traffic I saw something that made me look twice. Sitting quietly by the front door of one of those houses was an older man sipping what it looked like a hot drink. His legs were crossed and he seemed completely relaxed enjoying his time outdoors. At first I thought that there was no way he was having a good time, but as God started working in my heart I began to see things differently. There was actually something to be learned from watching that gentleman sitting calmly in his front porch, enjoying a hot drink, while the world around him seemed so chaotic.

Shortly before the crucifixion, Jesus promised His disciples to give them His peace. Oh how they needed that promise. However, this peace was different. Jesus was not talking about the temporary calmness the world gives at times. No! He was talking about His peace, an everlasting assurance that He is in control and everything will be OK no matter what is going in our lives. We don't have to be troubled or afraid. John 14:27 What a wonderful thought! We can rest assured that God is taking care of us even when the world seems chaotic around us. And it is chaotic more often then not. One doesn't even have to watch the news to know that this earth has become an extremely stressful and hurtful place to live in. 

If you are feeling discouraged and stressed out, turn your eyes to Jesus. By fixing our eyes and our thoughts on Him, we will loose focus of the troubles of this world. Isaiah describes this amazing phenomenon beautifully when he says: "You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!" Isaiah 26:3

That man relaxing by the front door of his house has no idea what an object lesson he was to me, but I really needed to be reminded of God's wonderful peace today.
Praying you'll enjoy your day today in perfect peace!

"In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety."

Psalm 4:8