An Invitation to Sit Down in Your Heart – by Bilyana de Soto

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Nov 30, 2015 1799

A sign on a man’s desk said, “I’ve got so many troubles that if anything else happens to me, it will be two weeks before I can even worry about it.” Though intended to be funny, for far too many in this world, the embedded sentiment this sign delivers, comes far too close to the truth.

So many circumstances in the world and in most people’s lives conspire to steal their peace, their sense of security and wellbeing. Yet what’s on offer in Jesus is peace in every circumstance and despite any and all troubles that may surround. Jesus said:

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)

These deeply comforting words of Jesus are particularly meaningful when we learn that He spoke them on the night before He was to be subjected to the most agonizing death on the cross. How can this be?

Clearly Jesus’ concept of peace does not focus on the absence of trouble. This peace on offer to all is unrelated to circumstances, and has a life of its own goodness untouched by the raging winds and storms on the outside.

Apparently, the Quechua Indians in Ecuador and Bolivia use a word for peace that literally translates, “to sit down in one’s heart.”  The Chol Indians of Mexico define peace as “a quiet heart.”

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

On offer to you today is the peace that only Jesus can give. If you will, you can a make a daily habit of looking beyond your tough circumstances to Jesus and accepting His invitation to receive the peace that amazingly goes beyond explanation – the peace that transcends the hardships you may currently be encountering. God promises:

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed’ says the Lord, who has compassion on you (Isaiah 54:10).

– Bilyana De Soto