Peace? Shoot!

Someone recently asked me, “How were you able to find peace in your decision to move to China?"

This question is an interesting one, because I don’t think I’m alone in that I've always had a hard time grasping the concept of “peace". People always pray for peace, or ask for peace when it comes to this decision or that decision. I think what we’re really asking for is to be “comfortable” with the decision we’ve made or will make. I’ve grown up in an environment, i.e., the States, that craves and even obsesses over being comfortable…to the point where we’ve equated, sometimes unconsciously, being comfortable with peace.

So, to answer that question honestly, I should have said…peace?? Shoot, I didn’t have peace and I still don’t really have peace about it. I’ve freaked out many times, and continue to flip out about moving my family to a foreign country. It would have been much more comfortable staying in Dayton, Ohio. Yes, things are getting a little easier, but I never really had “peace” about my decision…we just came to China in faith because we felt called.

I’m constantly reminded (most recently by our pastor in Dayton) that “peace” is not an up and down, emotional feeling. Instead, true peace is an eternal verdict…that no matter the circumstances, we can find peace in Him, because Jesus died, and gave us an opportunity to live this life without fear. How glorious that our time here is but a prelude to an eternity with our Heavenly Father — pure joy.

I think about Jesus and his last hours. Was He comfortable? Did He like knowing His Father had abandoned him? Was He comfortable with feeling alone and forsaken? Probably not. But you know what? By being vulnerable and uncomfortable, it forced Him to rely on the only One that mattered. Though He was uncomfortable and scared, He still had true peace, knowing He would soon be at the right hand of the throne…that He was the only way for us to be in true fellowship with Him.

So, do I have peace about coming to China? It’s been a daily struggle, but I’m starting to find true peace in our decision to come here. He’s been guiding us, and though it’s not always been "happy", it’s definitely been a joyful journey. We get to do this with Him and for Him!

Looking up!