A HAVEN OF PEACE
It was another workday for brother Comly who works with the government in Bubblinton, a busy commercial city with high density population. There was so much going on within the metropolis: industrial activities, trade, heavy vehicular and human traffic, and even criminal activities. It was a city that never sleeps from dusk till dawn. As one of his official duty, he was asked to visit an office belonging to one of the top government officials. Gates led into gate with heavy security presence as he made his way there. He eventually arrived at the premises where this office was located. It was a very serene environment, quiet, peaceful, beautiful although at the centre of a city with so much busyness and endless activities. For a moment, he wished he could remain there for a longer period of time.
The world in this age is super busy. So many things to keep pace with, and so many things to worry about. Noise and commotion everywhere. However, the true believer has a haven of peace and rest within his soul despite the world’s commotion. “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid (John 14: 27). We can only have this peace if we make the Lord our habitation, ensuring we abide in Him and His word. All the world’s commotion around us may roar, there is an un-surpassing peace within our soul. We do not worry about tomorrow because we know the Lord will go before us, (Deut. 3: 8) while we abide in His presence and in His word (John15: 4).
Peter, on the night before Herod planned to execute him, slept soundly between two soldiers. He knew what was before him, but that didn’t take his peace away. He didn’t agitate, worry about his family, worry about the church. He dwelled in a haven of peace that night. What a challenge! Paul and Silas also sang praises while in prison. Paul wrote most of the epistles while in prison. John the beloved got the revelation of the end-time, which was documented as the book of the revelation, when he was banished to the Island of Patmos because of persecutions. We can have so much peace, even if the whole world roars.
Our homes should be haven of peace for its members as they retire from this world of troubles. Don’t be the one who frightens your spouse from coming home because of nagging and the tendency to argue and fight. Never be the child who makes the life difficult for members of your family. Let your home be a delight to return, make it a haven of peace. The vision of the Pause and Ponder is to create a pause in the midst of the hustle and bustle of this information age. A pause amidst secular, political, medical, security and domestic information to think about our eternal home.
We can find a haven of peace in this troublous world (Ps. 26:8; Is. 32:18). If we dwell in God’s presence, obeying His word every moment. After the haven of peace here on earth, we would be translated into a haven of eternal peace. Live right, keep your garment pure. Peace be unto you (Amen).