Pastor's Corner
July 2005
“Deep peace of the
Running waves to you.
Deep peace of the
Flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the
Quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the
Shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the
Son of peace to you.”
- A Celtic Prayer
I love this prayer as I think about these summer months and the joy many of us have as we travel this great land of Idaho and beyond on our vacations. How blessed we are to see the waves of a beautiful high mountain lake lapping the shores in a gentle and calming rhythm. The wind blows the clouds across our “big skies” and we embrace a “quiet earth” early in the morning or as the sun slowly sets leaving us to gaze at the shining stars by night. And in all of it there is a certain peace and we experience re-creation in our souls. Peace. A calm assurance that “our God is in the heavens, He does whatever He pleases (Psalm 115:3).” My prayer for our church body this summer is that you will experience some of that peace (whether on vacation or not). That we will embrace the moment where “Nature, as God’s greatest evangelist:” (Jonathan Edwards) will speak of a peace that only God can give. But ultimately I pray that this summer we will have a new and profound sense of the deep peace that the “Son of Peace” (Jesus) brings us. That we will experience what Jesus said in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled nor let it be fearful.”
The world in all its chaos, busyness and falleness cannot grant us that peace. Only Jesus as “the Prince of Peace” can give you the rest you need and feed your soul with His peace!
So while you experience the running waves or flowing air and the quiet earth with its shining stars…..Remember that the true peace God is directing us to is the one who said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29). May you find rest in the strong arms of Jesus wherever your travels take you this summer and in your quiet moments may you know with all your soul — “His peace that passes all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).
Serving with you,
