Recently I was asked to share a devotion at our Presbytery COM committee meeting. The theme of the year is Peace. The verse chosen for that day was Psalm 34:14: Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

I found a wonderful article on the website Hopereflected.com. I'd like to share portions of that devotion, along with my own thoughts.

"The word pursue is a verb, and to pursue something means to actively chase after it, to follow it, or to seek it out. "Seek peace, and pursue it," we're told in Psalm 34:14. Peace is something that we are to actively chase after, to follow, and to seek out. Peace, that freedom that we all so long for, is not something that will just show up in our lives; we need to actively seek peace out, to chase peace, to follow peace."

Think for a moment about all the ways people try to pursue peace; self-help, money, success, relationships, meditation. None of these things satisfy. "There's only one true peace, as C.S. Lewis said, "God can't give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing." If you don't believe it, you've likely never given God a chance. As our Lord said in 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 heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."

Seek peace, and pursue it. When we have true peace in God, we'll also discover that there are other areas where we can pursue peace here on earth."

The author names several areas in which to pursue peace; in your relationships, in your work and in your spirit. I'd like to focus on how we might pursue peace within our own hearts.

"How do you pursue peace in your spirit? Philippians 4: 6-7 gives us some great guidance on the topic: "Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Peace for your spirit is possible when you commit your anxieties, fears, and worries to the Lord. Peace is possible when you take your praises and requests to God. Peace is possible when you remember to give thanks to God."

How much time and energy are we spending pursuing peace? The only way to have true peace is through our relationship with Jesus Christ. Let's not sit back and wait, let's pursue knowing and loving Jesus Christ every day! 

In Christ's ministry together ~ Pastor Caryn