Present and Peace: Words to Pursue

A friend recently sent me a couple of meaningful words she has chosen for her year. They may seem distinct, yet they truly go together.

Present and Peace.

Raise your hand if you’d like to be more present this year? How about being less distracted and more aware of what’s going on right around you?

Raise your hand if you’d like more peace in your heart, mind, and days? To worry less and be more at ease?

Yep, me too. My friend is not the only one desiring these things.

Jesus gives us the key to both being present and experiencing peace.

In Matthew 6:26-34, Jesus said, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

²⁸ “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹ Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰ If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? ³¹ So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ ³² For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

We can strive in our own strength, worry about worse case scenarios, ruminate on past regrets or future what ifs. But these run contrary to what God invites us into: resting in His presence, trusting His provision, believing in His goodness.

Now raise your hand if worrying has ever accomplished anything good in your life. Has it effectively solved a problem or has it complicated things? Has it added value to your life or stolen moments from your precious days?

God warns us in this area because He knows it’s our human tendency. This kind of thought process takes us away from the present and most definitely steals our peace. Obsessing about future events or staring in the rear-view mirror distracts us from the wonderful things God is doing here and now.

So, how do we step into the present and how do we gain peace in all situations?

By turning off the broken record in our heads, by putting down our phones, and taking a break from scrolling all the bad news. It begins by giving others our full attention in a conversation, rather than having our minds distracted by a million other things. Time slows to a beautiful pace when we take time to notice our blessings and joys, even during times of hardship or sorrow. Some circumstances we’d rather rush through, but even those moments are valuable mile markers on our journey. Being fully present is an intentional act. Times passes quickly and sometimes our special people do too. So be intentionally aware, present, and grateful for those sitting across from you. Pick up the phone to chat and hear someone’s actual voice.

This present moment is a gift from God, meant to be cherished as such.

We also become more present and gain more peace by drawing near to God on a regular basis. Through reading the Bible, we gain encouragement straight from the Lord. With prayer, we enter His very presence. Let the Lord calm your heart, mind, and fears. In a world full of chaos, there is only peace in God’s midst, and if we make time to spend with Him, we can’t help but be affected too. He slows our heart to match the beat of His own; as we exhale, He breathes fresh life into us. God is never in a hurry; He is present in every generation, decade, year, and minute. He is fully aware of all that we face, yet He is unshaken and undisturbed. Peace isn’t something we muster in ourselves; it’s an overflow of God’s work within us. I’ve heard it said in words to this effect: Peace isn’t the absence of problems; it’s walking with God through them.

If we seek God and His Kingdom first and above all else, as prescribed, everything else falls more blessedly into place. Our peace depends on our focus.

Here are few verses from God’s sovereign perspective:

John 16:33, “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.”

Psalm 29:11, “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”

Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness and self-control.”

Philippians 4:6-8, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

1 Thessalonians 5:23, “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

2 Thessalonians 3:16, “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.”

There are numerous Scriptures referring to God as the God of peace. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, and a by-product of listening to Him, is peace. We are told to overflow with God’s peace to the world around us. So many of the New Testament letters begin with greeting like Philippians 1:2, “Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

God is the source of peace and we are the recipients. Wherever we are, God is there too—so peace is within reach. God is present in our moments and we should be also.

God is the God who sees you. He is the One who blesses and sustains you. The people in our lives are a gift from God. Let’s appreciate these gifts today. Let’s turn down the noise and focus on what is right in front of us!

Whatever is going on, God has got us in the palm of His hand.

May you and I be a little more present and peace-filled each day!

It’s contagious, in a good way!

Me, grabbing hold of peace. A sweet reminder from my garden.