Sunday, June 6, 2004
Sunday, June 6, 2004
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 let them be afraid.
(John 14.27
NRSV)
"Try it," the wife suggested.
"I think it's silly," her husband said. Finally he agreed to try it. He shouted at the top of his voice, "Baloney!" After a moment, he said, "See, nothing happened."
"Try it again," his wife said.
This time he shouted, "I'm the best looking man in the world!" Then the echo came back--"Baloney!"
Is there anyone here this morning who is absolutely satisfied with everything you are and everything you have? I read that only one-third of men and one-half of women rate themselves as being happy. Did you make the cut? The truth is that many of us find ourselves bogged down in the mire of discontent.
The philosopher Schopenhauer once compared us to a Bulldog Ant. If we cut a Bulldog Ant in half, the front and rear segments will enter into a savage fight. The head will seize the tail with its teeth, while the tail will sting the head with fury. The fight might last for hours.
That is the way some of us are on the inside. There is part of us that wants to move ahead and a part that wants to stand absolutely still. There is a part of us that wants success and recognition. There is another part that wants to sit on the river bank and while away the hours. There is a part of us that wants to serve Christ. There is another part that says, "No, I've enough to do right now. Let someone else take their turn." There is a fierce battle going on within many of us. Few of us know what it is to live lives of contentment and peace.
Jesus said to his disciples, "I am leaving you with a gift--peace of mind and heart! And the peace I give isn't fragile like the peace the world gives. So don't be troubled or afraid." What a promise! What a gift! Peace of mind and heart. He can give it to us.
Loving God, help me to know your peace. Amen.
