A Picture of Peace

  A group of painters took place in an art contest to see who could create the best painting of peace. They had many beautiful paintings of the sun setting, palm trees, and lush green hills. As great as these were, there was one that stood out. It was Jack Dawson’s painting. His canvas showed a ravaging storm. There is water raging, dark clouds, and lightning. How is this a picture of peace? Throughout all of this the painting shows a small bird hidden in the cleft of the rock. As this whole storm is going on around it, the bird is protected and secure.

This shows us one of the best definitions of peace. It is not just the absence of a storm. it is knowing that God is with us during the storm. This is the peace that Jesus came to bring us. Before Jesus left the earth He told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14:27).

The world offers us a shifting peace. It exhibits a peace that is here when the sun is up but gone when the sun is down. In contrast Jesus gives us a peace that stays constantly. While disciples were on the boat, a storm arose. The waves began to shake the boat, and the wind began to blow them away. Yet Jesus was in the boat completely asleep. The majority of disciples were experienced fishermen. They did this for a living, so for them to be frightened meant that this was a hefty storm. Jesus gets up and says, “Hush, be still.” (Mark 4:39). As He spoke these words, the storm stopped. This is what peace looks like. Jesus is at such rest that he can sleep during this colossal storm.

Many times when we are going through a stressful time, we cannot sleep. We have no peace. My friend it is time to receive the peace that Jesus gives us. Remind yourself that Christ is your refuge. Be like the painting of the little bird, storms may be all around yet we have a peace which, “Surpasses all understanding” (Phil. 4:7).