I think it was Monday when I referenced two of the three sermonic points in the Sunday message. I deliberately left out the third because it didn’t seem to connect with my thoughts at that time. Today it does. When you open my website you see that it’s titled, “Peace in His Presence.” I chose that title because on any given day I want to connect our secular experiences with our sacred beliefs. And I believe that in order to do that, we must have the kind of peace that Paul says “transcends all understanding.”
The third sermonic point was “Persistence in Agitation.” I admit I was struggling with the concept of agitation and peace strolling arm and arm on the road to glory. How can they possibly coexist? Then I recalled Jesus’ words in John 14:27. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” Peace from a secular perspective is different than the peace of which Jesus spoke. Secular peace involves treaties that are signed and broken; nuclear arms capabilities; police and military forces; security systems and protocols. And is always the case with any of these forms of man-given peace, causes for agitation erupt when they are abused. Opposing sides demand justice, righting of perceived wrongs and injuries. Man’s fragile peace efforts waver, and like a kite that escapes a child’s grasp, flies away and out of reach.
But Jesus’ peace is not forfeited when agitation takes the driver’s seat. No. In fact, righteous agitation should be a norm for those who confess this God of the least, the last and the lost. Jesus’ peace is the assurance we have based upon our faith in Him and His word. We have no need to fear or be anxious about anything. We can press for the things He requires of us – “to act justly and love mercy and walk humbly with God” – by any means necessary, including agitating for justice. So, my thoughts today aren’t a contradiction of my chosen title for this website. When Jesus is the focal point in our secular undertakings and the standard in our secular, we know His presence. He is with us. And when He is with us, His peace is also.
Love. Joy. Peace.