My Peace

The scripture focus for this Sanctuary First is John 14:27 “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. let not your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.” The wider context of that text is Jesus’ interweaving description of love as seen in the Trinity of Father, Son and Spirit, with the invitation to share in the hospitality of God’s love (John 14:15-27) and to express that in loving one another. At Pentecost, we see that the Holy Spirit brought the Presence of Christ among the disciples, and the peace of Christ and the power of Christ. To speak of the power, the presence and the peace of God, is not a dream it’s a promise. It’s a promise with a purpose. O how we all long for such an experience? Do we not? In the Old Testament, 1Kings 19, Elijah was feeling completely inadequate for the role and he was on the run. He was hiding away in a cave. So you want to see me God said. So he caused a great storm to pass by: but God was not in the storm, and he caused a great earthquake, but God was not in the earthquake. Then the fire and God was not in the fire. And Elijah was troubled. Have we not been here before? We’ve seen so much: been involved with the dramatic; the charismatic, the enigmatic, and even cynic-matic: but its not where God is. Then when all is still and quiet, when we think there is nothing. When we think there is no heart for God left within us. When we wistfully long for what could have been. We are surprised by the “still small voice.” “Elijah what are you doing here?” From that still small voice comes the presence of God. From that still small voice comes the peace of God and from that still small voice comes the power of God. So where does the power come from? The power comes from with in. In the film chariots of fire Eric Liddle answers the question. The presence of Christ You see this is the promise. Peace I give unto you not as the world gives, give I thee let not our heart be troubled nether let it be afraid. In the stillness of the moment listen for the voice of God. - Prayers for the month: Week 1 - My peace: Living in harmony Week 2 - My Peace: Finding the still place Week 3 - My Peace: Working for God’s Shalom Week 4 - My Peace: Being at Peace with God - - -