PEACE

recently, i have been thinking a lot about the concept of peace.  what does it mean to be peace-filled?  how can I apply, “peace, be still” to my life?  What is God asking of us when He says in the psalms, “Be still, and know that I am God.”  This poem has been helping me answer these questions. actually, my friend, Britt, sent it to me this morning in an e-mail. 

no matter what my circumstances are, there is calm within the storms of life.  because heaven awaits me. because Jesus is King and crowned the Lord & Friend of my life. because He is ruling over all my ‘foolish ranges’ and all my trials. 

it is weird to think that I graduate college in about 5 weeks.  it seems like an eternity away.  school is extremely difficult right now, and i am SO physically and mentally tired.  but God is in control, and He himself is my Peace.  What comfort this brings to each day!

My soul, there is a country
  Far beyond the stars,
Where stands a winged sentry
  All skillful in the wars:
There, above noise and danger,
  Sweet Peace sits crown’d with smiles,
And One born in a manger
  Commands the beauteous files.
He is thy gracious Friend,
  And–O my soul awake!–
Did in pure love descend,
  To die here for thy sake.
If thou canst get but thither,
  There grows the flower of Peace,
The Rose that cannot wither,
  Thy fortress, and thy ease.
Leave then thy foolish ranges;
  For none can thee secure,
But One, who never changes,
  Thy God, thy life, thy cure.
         –Henry Vaughan (1622-1695)