I don’t have peace about it. 

I can’t remember the first time I heard this sentence. Repeated trips across the Pacific have blurred my memory. It seemed to be an explanation for a decision or choice that had been made. Two friends would be talking and as one presented their response or hesitancy concerning a situation the other would gently probe for more details. Then I would hear the new-to-me statement.

As a prober myself, I came to discover that the lack of peace often stemmed from an unfulfilled or unseen requirement. The person was lacking a trusted doctor’s diagnosis, a course schedule and class list, guaranteed flight times or helpful customs officials, familiar housing options, and the list goes on. Without these, peace would be lacking. 

Let me be clear–though the phrase may not have been in my vocabulary, I had my own prerequisites for peace. In the last eight years, I’ve had 13 different homes. When asked if I had concerns about heading out to a new place, my answer was often based on some sort of reassurance about housing, co-workers, visa issues, and a welcoming work situation. Not evil desires in themselves. 

But let’s look at what the Bible says about peace! God’s peace. It surpasses understanding! Better than we could imagine. The Living Bible says it’s far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. Better than knowing where I’m going to live or if I’ll have a friend nearby? Better than a kind and skillful language teacher or having the only key to my apartment? Yes! That is His promise. 

Can I ask Stephen if he had peace giving his last sermon or Abraham when he was told to put his son on an altar or Paul when he was taken to meet Caesar or Mary when the angel told her she would be the mother of Jesus?

It wouldn’t come from any knowledge of what their next day would hold. The source would be the same for them as for us, “…the ONE who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine.” Immeasurably more! Surpassing understanding! That is the Source of our peace.