Love God, Work for the Good!

Acts 14:19-28 / Jn 14:27-31

There’s an ancient Chinese curse that says, "May you live in interesting times." The curse seems to have come true in our day. There’s no era in history that can match the speed and the complexity with which growth and change are occurring at this very moment. It’s fascinating and exciting, but it also has an impact on our daily lives, injecting a level of uncertainty and stress that we’d just as soon live without.

And so, Jesus’ words in today’s gospel are especially relevant and comforting. "Peace is my gift to you," he says. What exactly is the peace that Jesus promises to those who walk with him? It’s not a freedom from having to pay close attention to our finances or our retirement fund, or to who our kids are hanging out with. It’s not an immunity from having to watch our diets, monitor our health, and give our rose bushes just the right combination of care.

The peace that Jesus gives is the peace of perspective, of seeing all things in the light of our profound conviction that the Lord loves us, walks with us, and will always give us what we need. It’s the inner quiet that comes from knowing that "for those who love God, all things work for the good."

Trust that, and you will know his peace.

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