I have the most perfect sitting area in my new bedroom. Picture a comfortable reading chair facing a picture window overlooking a wooded creek complete with weeping willow trees, a duck family, and a resident blue heron. I steal moments there whenever I can, especially in the morning before the children wake up or in the evenings at sunset. Sometimes I watch the wildlife or the movement of the water; other times, I just stare at the intricacy of the tree branches. If it is raining, I love to watch the drops as they are methodically absorbed into the creekwater.

This morning, the little people woke up before I made it to my quiet area, so I snuck a few minutes there while they ate their breakfast. From my chair, I heard the escalating sounds of Titus and Lydia’s voices: “Apple!” “Cherry!” “Apple!” “Cherry!” alternated across the kitchen table with increasing intensity. When the crescendo finally reached a pitch I could not ignore, I reluctantly left my quiet spot to settle the dispute. Turns out they were arguing over what fruit was pictured on Titus’s yogurt container. This one was easy to settle: “You’re both wrong. It’s a peach!” I declared. Our three-way laughter restored the peace, and I returned to my room to finish getting ready for the day.

Until this past year, I never thought deeply about peace. I perceived it as a global issue that we all wanted among nations and races and other man-made factions of society. Or I thought of peace as that feeling I have when I know something is the right decision—I would say that I “have peace about it.” Both of those connotations are certainly true and important, but on a personal level, peace has become so much more important to me.  It is something I seek to maintain at all times and in all circumstances–especially those that are out of my control.

This morning, my Advent devotional directed me to read Psalm 122, which ends with the following lines: “Pray for the peace of Jerusalem! ‘May they be secure who love you! Peace be within your walls and security within your towers!’ For my brothers and companions’ sake I will say, ‘Peace be within you!’ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your good.” (Psalm 122:6-9, ESV)

At first glance the prayer seems to be focused on that global understanding of peace within and between nations that we all desire when we say “Peace on Earth” during the Christmas season. The psalmist speaks of peace “within your walls” and “security within your towers,” but then he gets personal. “Peace be within you!” he declares, “for my brothers and companions’ sake.”

When I moved into my new home, my primary focus was to create a peaceful space for myself and the kids. I had looked at several houses, including one that I was sure was the perfect place for us. But in His typical fashion, God closed that door without telling me He had a far better one around the corner. When I saw the backyard of this house, I knew it was home. Even though I am not an outdoorsy girl, I have always felt God’s presence in creation and love to look at it. Out of every back window of this house, I could see nature and knew that His presence would be easy to seek and find in this home—and that that was exactly what I needed most.

Even in my peaceful new home, it amazes me how easily circumstances and people can rob my peace. A phone call, an email, or a post on social media can send my heart racing or my mind spinning. Kids fight, dogs bark, messes are made, cars don’t start—and there goes my peace. Even without external intervention, I find that my own thoughts can steal my peace. I start entertaining the “what ifs” or “if onlys,” and peace soon gives way to worry or regret. I take steps to prevent these things—turn off notifications on my phone so I can decide when I want to risk receiving bad news or dealing with difficult people. Play worship music constantly. Read Scripture aloud to myself. Ask friends to pray when I feel myself getting spun up or sinking into despair. And I return again and again to my picture windows—seeking the presence of the only true Peacegiver. Because peace is not actually a feeling but a confidence that transcends feelings and situations and circumstances. It is a certainty, an assurance, an absolute trust in the promises and person of God–no matter what is going on around me.

As the psalmist declared, peace is WITHIN us. Paul tells us that it is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). And notice the first line of the verses I quoted earlier: “May they be secure who love you!” (Psalm 122:6b) Peace is within me because His Spirit is within me and because there is no more war to be won. It was secured on Calvary when Christ said, “It is finished.” (John 19:30) He didn’t mean it is almost finished, or it will be finished one day, or it is finished until someone or something upsets you. He meant IT IS FINISHED. End of story. Yes, there are more chapters to be written—more life to be lived and that life is not easy. There are more battles to be fought even though the war is won. Broken people and broken circumstances and broken cars and even yogurt containers with unidentifiable fruit on them will try to steal our peace! But if our eyes are fixed on Him, it CAN be impossible to allow them that privilege. Jesus says, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33, ESV)

Now to live like it…

“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.” (John 14:27, ESV)