The world surrounding us clamors and longs for peace. The soul within us aches for peace in the midst of life events and disruptions, losses, unexpected circumstances, and relational upheavals or disappointments. Yet, treaties and prospects of peace are fleeting as the true desires of nations and leaders often are manipulative and less than honest or noble in their intent or commitments to their rhetoric. The peace in our soul when subject to our own efforts, management, and control often evades, disappoints, and evaporates due to the uncertainties in our lives as human beings living in a world where everything changes.
Herein lies the dilemma and conundrum facing every person who has lived or is alive. Where is the peace beyond the moment? Where is the peace that sustains the soul through individual heartbreak, sorrow, upheaval, circumstance, loss, and societal and cultural change and breakdown?
There is only one place for peace beyond the moment. The only peace beyond the moment is anchored in a peace that comes from One who is everlasting and can give a peace that is and always will be everlasting. Almighty God in the gift of His Son, granted the availability of peace to us (Luke 2:14). In our acceptance of Christ and in His forgiveness for all our sins, we have been given everlasting peace (Ephesians 2:15). This peace from the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) is everlasting, incredible, indescribable and unfathomable. Thus, His peace is beyond understanding (Philippians 4:7) and can sustain and hold us (Colossians 3:15) through all events, all circumstances, and all losses. Finally, His peace is beyond every moment, because Christ lives in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and His presence abides with us until we come into His eternal peace. The peace of Christ is the only peace that is beyond the moment because it is the only everlasting and eternal peace. Thanks be to God!
“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” (English Standard Bible, John 14:27)
“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (English Standard Bible, John 16:33).