I’m getting a bit tired of the news, because the majority is bad news. Yes, there is some good news, but it’s not aired, because it’s not sensational enough and doesn’t pay the bills.

Why are people so attracted to bad news? Bad news isn’t positive. On the contrary, it steals your peace and before you know it, you become depressed, because the fuel price is going up, the government wants to take the land, politicians only talk and the country is being run into the ground. There are drought and floods, and much more.

That’s why I’ve stopped watching and listening to the news. I want peace.

Paul said there are a few characteristics that we need to incorporate in our foundation, so that we can be a useful and strong bowl that God can use. That’s why he said: ²²Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace … If there is no peace in our hearts, our bowl becomes skew and would have little use in helping others.

The problem is that it doesn’t help to just switch off the news to get peace again, because peace struggles to get ahead in other areas too. Often it’s a struggle to maintain peace in our marriages and in our relationships with our children, colleagues and even friends.

So, where can I find peace?

Jesus gave the answer in John 14:27 “I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.”

Jesus makes it as clear as daylight. There is only one pit stop for peace, and that is Jesus. If you are looking for peace in the world, you’re going to struggle. Peace is not in the world. Well, many promise that peace can be found in the world, but when you get down to it, there’s none.

Many buy a Lotto ticket and hope and pray for a win, because then they will have peace. But even these millions cannot bring real peace. Just look what happens to lotto millionaires. Their problems increase and peace keeps on eluding them.

To survive today, we need to stay at Jesus’ feet. We must ensure that our relationship with Him keeps on growing. That we will keep on growing closer to Him, so that we will become more and more like Him. Then we’ll realise where everything comes from and where we are going. Then we’ll know and believe and live that He is the only answer to all our questions. And the result? Peace!

Now you can become a peacemaker in a world without peace. Where people close to you fight, you will have wisdom to bring peace, because you’ve learnt to be like Jesus.

I know we’ve still got a long way to go and a lot of work needs to be done to us to achieve that goal. But let’s strive purposefully to achieve it. Let’s strive for peace and let’s be the peacemakers.

That way we will grow into an even more beautiful and useful pot for God to use.

Scripture
2 Tim 2:22-26

Reflection
Where is there no peace?
How can you help with that?
Who can you help?

Prayer
Prince of Peace, Counsellor. You know everything. You are familiar with everything. I want to bring peace too. Amen.