“Peace comes from doing God’s will.”
I am moved when I read the above statement. We so often try to create peace in our lives on our own accord. We plan, organize, and implement different goals, projects, and plans that, in our heads, we believe will bring us peace. Even if our plans are rooted in prayer, we sometimes try to step in as the controller of the situation, and when we do this we find ourselves exhausted in our search for peace.
When we look at Jesus’ last days, we are reminded that Jesus stepped aside as the controller in his life. Jesus chose to follow God’s will. Jesus made a choice, which is the same one we make today. We can choose to follow God’s will or not. We can choose to say “yes” or “no” to what God is asking of us.
As we see in Jesus, God’s will for us does not mean that every person around us will be on board with our decision. Choosing to follow God’s will does not mean that we will be free from insult, betrayal, or hurt. However, choosing to follow God’s will for us will bring us one thing–peace.
Jesus remained rooted firmly in God, and it is because of where Jesus chose to place his firm footing that he was able to seek and to get the clarity, understanding, and peace that he searched for as a human.
What does the statement “Peace comes from doing God’s will” mean to you?
What is getting in the way of being at peace?
Where do we need to surrender the control in our lives so God can usher in peace?
What does Jesus teach us about surrender and finding peace?
Becky Eldredge
Becky is an Ignatian-trained spiritual director, retreat facilitator, and writer. She is the author of the Busy Lives and Restless Souls (March 2017, Loyola Press) and The Inner Chapel (April 2020, Loyola Press). She helps others create space to connect faith and everyday life through facilitating retreats and days of reflection, through writing, and through spiritual direction. With nearly twenty years of ministry experience within the Catholic Church, Becky seeks to help others discover God at work in the every day moments of people’s lives by utilizing St. Ignatius’ Spiritual Exercises and the many gifts that our Catholic faith and Ignatian Spirituality provide.
There are 3 realms in which we live simultaneously and peace must reside in all 3, the spirit,
the thoughts, and the actions.
It starts in the spirit. For the past month I have been trying to “live in God’s presence” more consistently,
as depth in the Lord is not complex. It simply means to keep showing up. So I find it helpful to use
a walking “spirit thought” (can be thought of by some as a mantra). My thought has been “God’s peace”.
As I go through my day I continue to bring this spirit thought with me. It helps to ground me.
Then we must have peace in our thought life by ordering and allowing God to take charge, reducing anxiety.
Finally, action is essential for the achievement of lasting peace. Being stagnant when it is time to do is one of the most
anxiety ridden states of being. However, in the midst of taking action we must continue to be aware of our thoughts and spirit, allowing God’s spirit to reign.
This 3 realm simultaneity and the awareness of each can bring us closer to the constant walk in peace with our perfect God.