A Quiet Peace

For my Easter devotional this year, you can either listen to the podcast or read the script. Join with me as examine how Jesus was quiet through these final days of his life.

Podcast

Script

Normally after a break or a holiday there are often things I want to change, on return home. There is something about taking time away to relax, that also allows us to reflect. And this can trigger a desire in me to create new habits or get rid of old ones that no longer serve me.

So normally after Easter I would come home with a to-do list of things we are going to change. Maybe new chores for the girls, a new family time idea or a new creative practice to lean into.

But we are in a time of a new normal. Where the old routines no longer exist, and new ones are adjusting daily.

So, as this Easter devotional series ends, I find myself leaning more towards a daily practice.

After reflecting on the quiet certainty, surrender and forgiveness of Jesus I have a longing in me to take his quietness into each day ahead.

I don’t want to be distracted by the noise of the world telling me who I should be, what I should do and how I should react. I want the quiet certainty that comes from knowing that God loves me, and he has divinely created me and purposed me for works he has prepared in advance for me to do.

I want to hear God’s voice above all others, above the cacophony of voices that the media and the internet throw at us. And I want to hear his voice louder than the voices of family and friends.  I want to live a life of surrender to his ways, even when the way is hard or countercultural.

And when I get it wrong, which I will. I don’t want to let shame and guilt be my companions, but instead I want to walk in the quiet forgiveness that is given to me even in the places where I am most lost, most broken and most alone.

In John, there is an account of Jesus’ appearing to his disciples just after his resurrection:

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”

John 20: 19-23

The disciples are hiding in fear. They know what has happened to their master and they are worried for their own lives. So, they have locked themselves in a room. And into that place of fear, Jesus appears, and he speaks peace.

What room have you locked yourself into?
Is it a room of fear?
Is it a room of unforgiveness?
Is it a room of guilt?
Is it a room of self-loathing?

Jesus comes into that room and speaks peace.

I’m going to say that again, Jesus comes into that room and speaks peace.

And as we can see from this account, he speaks peace twice. He isn’t stingy. He doesn’t hold back. Jesus speaks peace as many times as we need to hear it.

Isn’t that beautiful. In this season I need peace. I don’t just need it daily, I need it hourly and sometimes minute by minute.

And Jesus gives us his peace, but he does not just leave us with that, he breathes on us and gives us the Holy Spirit to go with us.

Where do you need peace today?

Are you fearful of the future? Jesus says “Peace be with you”

Are you worried for family and friends? Jesus says “Peace be with you”

Or grieving a loss? Jesus says “Peace be with you”

No matter what you are facing in these uncertain times, Jesus speaks peace as many times as you need to hear it.  And the Holy Spirit enables you to continue in your everyday with him.

So as we finish this Easter devotional series on the quiet of Jesus, I would just like to pray for you. 

Jesus,
Thank you that you are the Prince of Peace,
Thank you that you bring peace into all our circumstances
Help us to live in your peace Lord,
And to listen to the voice of the Holy Spirit in our lives
Be with us as we quietly go about our daily routines
Help us to know we are fully loved by you,
fully accepted by you
and fully forgiven by you
Amen

Thanks, for joining me for this Easter devotional series. I have really enjoyed sharing my words in a new (spoken) way with you. If this series has spoken to you in anyway, feel free to contact me.

Thanks, so much for listening, I hope to connect with you through my writing or in real life some time and until then,

Peace be with you.