FIND PEACE IN THE DIFFICULT TIMES

Sir,

Two painters were once asked to paint a picture illustrating their own ideas of rest. The first chose for his scene to be a quiet, lonely lake nestled among mountains far away.

The second, using swift and broad strokes on his canvas, painted a thundering waterfall. Beneath the falls grew a fragile birch tree, bending over the foam.
On its branches, nearly wet with the spray from the falls sat a robin in its nest. The first painting was simply a picture of stagnation and inactivity.
 The second, however depicted rest. It may seem paradoxical but the only person who is at rest has achieved it through conflict.  This peace is not like the ominous lull before the storm but like the serenity and quietness following the storm with its fresh air.

The person who might appear to be blessed, having been untouched by sorrow is typically not the one strong and at peace.
His qualities have never been tested and he may not know how to handle a mild setback. So you may be asking, is it possible for us who are easily moved by earthly things to come to a point where absolutely nothing can disturb our peace? Well, the answer is yes and the Apostle Paul knew it. Everything in his life had been shaken and he no longer considered his life or possessions as being earthly values.

Instead he allowed God’s sovereign hand to lead him. True peace is in resting only in God. When God is the centre of a Kingdom, He makes it strong ‘like mount Zion, which cannot be shaken’.  And when God is the centre of a soul-although disaster may crowd in on all sides like a rushing wind and turbulent storm, there is calmness within. This kind of peace is not exchangeable. It is called rest and mind you, it’s not some holy feeling that comes upon us in church.

It is a state of calm, rising from a heart deeply and firmly established in God.
R Leighton once said, “what is it that causes people to shake like leaves today at the first hint of danger? It is simply the lack of God in their soul and having the world in their hearts instead”.

Yes, my friends; those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be shaken but endures forever (Ps125; 1).

Hlobile Shongwe, Mbabane

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: