Maneuvers - No. 100
The Way
Home
Friend, when was the last time you felt totally at peace?
No restlessness. No striving. No stressing out. No trying to fix an out-of-control situation.
Just peace.
Can you imagine what that would feel like right now? (Let’s try closing our eyes and picturing it.)
How does it feel to imagine yourself at peace?
The truth is, we were made for peace. But we also live in a fallen world scarred by sin and death. One day, Jesus will heal and restore this broken world. But until then, peace can seem elusive with the hurts we face, the struggles, the temptations, the confusing messages we hear, and the difficult decisions we wrestle with.
Jesus knew this—and he prepared his disciples by saying:
“I have told you these things so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33, NIV).
Is that the kind of peace you want, friend? The kind that doesn’t depend on what’s going on around us, but instead comes from resting in Jesus and knowing he’s already conquered the hard things we’re facing?
We want that, too.
So come, let’s listen to what Holy Spirit has to say today …
01.
The Message
“Your heart is made for peace. It is what you are best at experiencing, though you might need to realize this. Anxiety is what you feel most—and worry about how to find solutions to problems. But peace is built deep within you, the deep knowing that you are okay, that the world, despite its problems, is okay.
What is wrong can be fixed, although you might wish to see the remedy more readily. But in your heart, when you consider who made the heavens and the earth, who made each star in the universe, who made air for your lungs to breathe, the intricate design on the tips of your fingers, the perfect shade of your eyes, the beautiful ideas in your mind, the breeze that blows the flowers, the sweet smell of earth after the rain, the shades of the rainbow as I remind you of my faithfulness, you know how I hold all things and you need not fret. Your heart knows peace, even if your mind tells you of many other distracting, troubling things.
Pause here; meditate on my goodness. I am a Father who stands with you and never leaves you alone. The things you get to work on today—what to build, with whom to talk, what to learn, and the solutions to struggles you face—are joined by my excitement, joy, and love for you. There is nothing to worry about, for I want to put all your troubles into my hands. Let us work them out together.
I am a God who guides and shepherds. You know my voice; you know my care for you at night and day. You know my laughter—you have always known it; let me share it with you again. You know the feeling of your Father’s hand in yours. You know safety and what it means to feel grounded, cared for, and secure. These things are most true to you, though you have forgotten them. Let me teach you the way home, for you love it here. You experience peace as you stay here, with me, the place of the heart, the place of no striving and stress. Heaven is in your heart. Heaven is with you now, as I am. Come, be home.”
02.
Listen
As you read this week’s message, what part impacted you most? Let’s take three minutes to ponder that portion of the message and then write out a response to God.
03.
Think
“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27, NIV).
1. Where do you need more of Jesus’ peace in your life? What emotions or situations make it hard for you to experience that peace?
2. How has God shepherded you in the past and guided you toward peace? What people or resources has he used? How is he doing that now, too?
3. Imagine what you think Heaven might be like—living in Jesus’ presence and enjoying him forever. How does God want to help you experience a taste of that right now in your day-to-day life?
04.
Trust
Life can get so busy, can’t it? Appointments to keep, tasks to get done, responsibilities we’ve committed to. In all the busyness, it’s easy to lose sight of what matters most—our relationship with Jesus, the source of true peace.
If anyone understood busyness, it was certainly Jesus. He spent many days and long hours ministering to the needs of others, healing the sick, answering questions, and teaching his followers.
So how did he stay focused on his heavenly Father? How did he experience peace?
After a long day of healing the sick and driving out demons, this is what the Bible says Jesus did:
“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35, NIV).
Maybe we can’t leave our house in the early morning to be alone with God for several hours like Jesus did. But we can still find ways to fix our thoughts on him, to pray and give him our burdens, and to give him room to speak to us.
So let’s practice that right now. In a quiet place, let’s play a favorite worship song or read a favorite poem—whatever helps us feel close to Jesus.
As we worship or read, let’s imagine Jesus is sitting in front of us, enjoying the moment with us and listening to every word we say. And as we stay here, let’s be attentive to our emotions, telling God what lines we love in that song or poem and what we love about him.
Now, let’s share with Jesus the burdens that are making it hard for us to regularly experience his peace. This is our time to be honest with him. What is Holy Spirit saying in response? Let’s write down whatever we sense him sharing with us.
Let’s pray …
05.
Pray
Father, I crave your peace. I confess where I’ve tried to take matters into my own hands and fix my own problems. I can’t do it—I can’t do anything without you.
I surrender to you these emotions that are distracting me and weighing me down. Help me see you in your fullness—with all your glory and goodness and kindness. I want to be closer to you. As we spend time together, teach me to be like you and to walk with you throughout the day.
I love you, Lord. There’s no better place to be than in your presence.
In Jesus’ name, amen.
Waving the banner with you,
