There are times when what I’ve prepared gets lovingly interrupted by what the Spirit wants to say. I had written a devotional a week ago, all ready to go for a 4:00 AM prayer call. But as this weekend unfolded, the Holy Spirit whispered, “The devotional you wrote will wait — today, you’re sharing about peace.”
So I leaned in. I listened. I followed the nudge. And what emerged felt too timely and too necessary not to share more broadly. So today, I’m offering it here as this week’s blog.
Peace
“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] 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 afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.” — John 14:27
“You, Lord, give true peace to those who depend on you because they trust you.” — Isaiah 26:3
Recently I had a conversation and told Peace that I thought of her as passive…
But Peace’s response would turn out to be:
“Sheila, if that’s what you thought, you never knew me. Peace is not the absence of chaos or crisis. Peace remains in the midst of chaos, where the presence of Christ is. Peace has the power to disrupt the atmosphere. Making peace in the midst of chaos makes this clear.”
There was a contest where artists were called to create an image of peace. There were images of serene and calm seas, statuesque mountains, majestic sunrises and sunsets. The winning image, however, was the artist’s depiction of a storm. Ocean waves crashing against the rocks. The sky alive with lightning.
It was the opposite of peace… or so it seemed.
But if you took the time to look closer, within a cleft of the mountain there was a nest. Look even closer: in the midst of the storm, a mother bird gently cuddled her babies. In the midst of the storm, the power of peace emerged.
Peace is not destroyed by life’s storms — it’s what grounds us in the midst of the storm. Peace is not destroyed by conflict — it’s what grounds us in the midst. Peace is what grounds us in the midst of conflict and keeps us whole.
You have witnesses among us on this call: Peace in the midst of a cancer diagnosis. Peace grounding you in grief and uncertainty. Peace that held you when you could have lost your mind.
As we prayed and worshipped yesterday, these three Psalms were read aloud — and they’re still speaking today:
Psalm 34 reminds us that peace is found when we bless the Lord at all times — even in trouble, our praise births peace.
Psalm 46 assures us that peace is possible because God is our refuge and strength, a very present help — even when the earth gives way.
Psalm 23 paints peace as the Shepherd’s presence — even in the valley, He restores our soul and prepares a table in the presence of enemies.
Together, they proclaim: Peace is not passive. It is a powerful presence.
“You keep pairing me with quiet,” Peace said. “But my true companion is the mighty clamor of chains being ripped clean from the wall.” — Lori Hettervig
Peace is not denial. Peace doesn’t mean we ignore the injustice, the grief, the peril, or the uncertainty that surrounds us. Peace doesn’t close its eyes — it anchors us while we keep our eyes open.
In times that are uncertain and perilous, Peace is what keeps us from unraveling. Peace is not passive — Peace is mighty. Mighty enough to ground us. Mighty enough to cover us. Mighty enough to hold us steady when the world around us is trembling.
Peace is not the absence of the storm — it’s the presence of God in the storm.
Peace, Sheila P. Spencer
Take time to listen to one of the songs I turn to when I need to be reminded of peace: 🎵 “Peace Be Still” by Vanessa Bell Armstrong
