All who saw this picture thought that it was a perfect picture of peace. Along the grassy shore, a flock of sheep grazed undisturbed. Overhead was a beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds. The lake was a perfect mirror for peaceful towering mountains all around it. As the king pulled the cover from one, a hush fell over the crowd. ![]() The tensions grew as only two pictures remained veiled. The king looked at all the pictures, uncovering one peaceful scene after another as the on-lookers clapped and cheered. Paintings from far and wide began to arrive. Many artists wanted a chance at winning the prize. The contest stirred the imagination of artists everywhere. There once was a king who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Russell Ballard how we too can live in perfect peace. Will you be surprised which painting he chooses? Learn from Elder M. That, no matter the decisions or circumstances you face, you will find peace and shalom to accompany you every step along the way.A short story of a king who offers a prize to the artist who can paint the best picture of peace. Like a bird covering its nest in the raging storm, God offers His peace to us. ![]() What about you? What are the things in your life that indicate a sense of peace from God? I would love to hear! There are certainly many more indicators that could be shared but those are a few of the major ones for me. When I know I can be joyful no matter the outcome, then I know that’s peace. Peace comes when we choose to trust God’s goodness rather than in a specific outcome we want. Simply put, joy is an indicator of peace. Maybe you can relate to this, but it just seems like the Spirit continues to prompt me with an unsettled feeling until I change course or fully surrender the issue over to God. I get consumed with the decision, or I continue to be overwhelmed by the unknowns or stresses. However, for me a lack of peace is often accompanied by an unsettled feeling. I feel like I can trust the outcome, no matter the results. Another indicator is that I “feel” at peace. Without God’s presence and peace my small problems often become big problems and my attitude takes a turn for the worst. However, a lack of peace often affects my attitude in a negative way-irritability, impatience, and negativity. If I’m at peace with a major issue in my life my attitude usually shows it. For me peace and rest seem to be connected. I’m tense, super agitated, often can’t sleep, and my mind seems to be constantly running, prompting an inability to relax. If I am feeling twisted or unsure, or if God is prompting me to change course, I often can’t rest. On the flip side, a lack of peace affects my rest. Rest and relaxation are often an indicator of God’s peace for me. While it is surely a bit different for each person, here are a few of the indicators of God’s peace (or lack thereof) for me. What does peace look like when I am facing unknowns?.What does peace look like when I am stressed and overwhelmed?.What does peace look like when I am wrestling with a difficult decision?.It was this process that prompted me to consider the question: “What does God’s peace tangibly look like in my life?” I was praying for direction and that sense of “peace” over my decision. In a world of chaos, violence, sadness, and instability, how do we know if we have that peace? That is the question I asked myself recently as I was praying over a large financial decision. It is Jesus’ nearness that calms and gives us peace in the middle of the raging storm. It’s shalom, wholeness, calmness, completeness with Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6). ![]() Biblical peace is not something we can create on our own, it is the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Peace is not the absence of conflict or merely calm circumstances, while it could include that, peace is actually the presence of God in the midst of those circumstances. But take heart! I have overcome the world. “ I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. The Bible describes peace in a very similar way. ![]() Peace means to be in the midst of those things and still be calm in your heart.” Biblical Peace The king chose this work and then stated: “Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise or trouble or hard work. Painting is “Peace in the Midst of the Storm” by Jack E.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |