LOVE LETTERS|DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR SINGLES|DAY  95

Scripture for Today

John 14:27 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. (ESV)

There once was a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists tried. The King looked at all the pictures, but there were only two he really liked and he had to choose between them.

One picture was of a calm lake. The lake was a perfect mirror, for peaceful towering mountains were all around it. Overhead was a blue sky with fluffy white clouds. All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture had mountains too. But these were rugged and bare. Above was an angry sky from which rain fell and in which lightening played. Down the side of the mountain tumbled a foaming waterfall. This did not look peaceful at all. But when the King looked, he saw behind the waterfall a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. In the bush a mother bird had built her nest. There, in the midst of the rush of angry water, sat the mother bird on her nest… perfect peace.

Which picture do you think won the prize?

The King chose the second picture. “Because,” explained the King, “peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace.”

Jesus gave us a priceless gift before living us, that gift is peace. Peace as illustrated above doesn't mean the absence of issues or troubles of life it just means the even in the troubles we have a calm heart. Situations around us can be so challenging, we might feel kicked or beaten down. All we have is the Jesus kind of peace. Not the peace of the world but peace that is whole and continuous.

Prayer: Father, I receive from you peace that helps me remain calm even in the midst of my challenges.