FINDING PEACE IN A TOPSY-TURVY WORLD
"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."
John 16:33 (NIV)
This is a hand-thrown pot that I bought down in Eureka Springs at the Potter's House. I've had it for several years and it still looks perfect, doesn't it. But it isn't. It has this big chip on the rim that I was hiding with my hand.
Like this pot, our bodies have also been marred, sometimes by accident, sometimes by aging and sometimes on purpose. Life's troubles also chip away at our souls. Just as hurricane Katrina overwhelmed so many in the gulf coast area, our spirits can be overwhelmed by the troubles and temptations of this world, leaving our flaws exposed for all to see. Sometimes we try to hide them from others--the chipped places, the imperfections of our soul, but God sees us as we really are and loves us even though we aren't perfect.
This pot I'm holding was damaged at the same time I was--the day our house exploded--and I keep it as a reminder that even in this condition, it's still usable. None of us are perfect either, but God still uses us. I like this pot. I can keep things in it, put flowers in it; I can admire its chipped beauty, its shape, the texture and the beautiful blue color. So even though it's damaged, I'm not going to throw it in the trash; it deserves to be saved. God feels the same way about each of us--even though we're damaged, He wants to save us. Not that we deserve it, but because of His love and His grace. God creates us, molds us perfectly, and when we become flawed, He still uses us even though we've been damaged by the misfortunes of life; by sin; and by our own ignorance.
All of us have scars that the world has inflicted on us. Age, illness, tragedy, sorrow, fear, rejection, -- I could go on and on, but you know where your scars came from and I know where mine came from. Not only physical scars, but emotional and spiritual scars, too.
The world tried to chip away at Jesus. He had to endure more trials and tribulations than any of us, but He told his disciples to take heart, to have courage because He has overcome the world. The disciples found that peace, that courage to overcome. So can we, if we have a relationship with Jesus and let God's Holy Spirit guide us.
If you've ever had a bad cut and had a scar form as it healed, did you ever notice how the scar tissue is much tougher than the skin around it? I've got a lot of physical scars to prove it. When we're damaged emotionally or spiritually, the scars of Christ can heal our damaged spirit and make us stronger.
Those people in New Orleans and other places hit by that hurricane have much healing to go through. Over time, healing will take place and scars will be formed. Their lives have been changed so much that their emotional and even spiritual recovery may take a very long time. Maybe longer than it will take to get the towns and cities back in working order. But God can heal the human spirit. And the scars that remain will add a toughness and determination to many people's lives. And a willingness to rebuild their lives; hopefully with Christ as their foundation.
In the scripture I read from the gospel of John, Jesus assures His disciples that even though they will have troubles in this world, they can have peace through Him. He's "been there, done that". He's overcome the world. On this earth, He went through so much more than any of His disciples did or than any of us have. His words of assurance are ones we should really take to heart and hang onto when our lives get turned upside down. We will always hear of wars and rumors of war; we see the devastation caused by earthquakes and other natural disasters like hurricane Katrina. We also see man-made disasters like the World Trade Center. But in the midst of disaster, Christ is telling us to have peace, to take heart because He has overcome the world. And He did it for us.
Have you checked your spiritual scars lately? Do you feel stronger because of them? The apostle Paul knew a lot about scars, both physical and spiritual. But Paul had peace in Christ. He knew that everything he suffered for the sake of his Savior made him a stronger disciple--one who would endure to the end. And Paul did endure. So can we. In Christ, we can have`that same peace in this topsy-turvy world, and we can take heart because Jesus Christ has overcome the world for you and me, for all of us who love and follow Him. Amen
About the author: I live in Iowa and am a Certified Lay Speaker with the United Methodist Church. I fill the pulpit in various churches as the need arises. I'm retired but not too tired to answer God's call in my life.