Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
I have thought a lot about this scripture over the last month. I realized one key to understanding it would be to define how the world gives things. If I want to know how God gives peace, it might be helpful to define how He doesn’t give it.
So how does the world give?
The world gives in exchange or expectation of receiving. I give you work in expectation of you paying me. I pay you in exchange for you working for me. I invite you over for a dinner party expecting you to do the same in the future, or because you invited me in the past. I give a present in exchange for being considered thoughtful. The world gives always thinking “what’s in it for me?”
The world gives what is convenient for them at the time. Rather than asking “what do you need?” the question is “what can I give?” You need a ride or a listening ear but it’s easier for me to drop off a plate of cookies. And then I feel good because I served. But is it really service if it makes the person’s life harder, or at the very least doesn’t make it easier?
So if that’s how the world gives, how does God give blessings? Especially the blessing of peace?
He gives us what we need, when we need it. He gives because he is thinking about us, not what we will give Him in return. He doesn’t say, “hmm, you need peace but all I’ve got in the fridge right now is joy, so that’s what you get.” Before we even ask, He knows what we need and has it ready for us. He gives because he loves us not because of what others will think of Him as a result.
Maybe we should try to give more like God does. There have been times in my life when mortal angels have done just that.
There is still more for me to understand on this topic. But I know that with everything else I’ve felt lately, the peace my loving Heavenly Father has given me has allowed for my heart to not be troubled and kept me from being afraid.
I am an educator and PhD. I quilt, belly dance, run, read, and try to grow things. I am a Mormon. I am infertile. I am a daughter, sister, aunt, grand-daughter, friend, wife, and mom.
Brett L. Dennis
Mama g
Giggles
AmandaStretch
I’m still learning too. :heart:
Good thoughts.
For some reason, this post makes me think of Matt. 6:22 “If thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.” The scriptures are deceptively complex sometimes. It’s easy to look at the surface meaning, or even go down one level, and think you’ve got it. But what does it mean for “thine eye to be single?” I believe we can assume that cyclopses are no better off than we are. So the next level down refers to — what? Desires? Intentions? Faith? How can we really judge when our eye has become single, and what will the light feel like when we are full of it?
There’s still more for me to understand too. :brett:
We talked about similar things in P/RS on Sunday. I definitely need to do a better job of serving in my life, and these remarks are excellent. Thank you.
So you didn’t talk about being prepared and were given the homework to prepare your funeral and give your plans to the bishop? Must’ve just been my parents’ ward then. For the record, I’m in charge of making sure all the gladiola flowers at my mom’s funeral are crooked. Trust me, that’s a service she needs. :daisy:
Ha. Considering the average age of our ward, that’s not something most of us are concerned about yet. 🙂
Thank you, I’ll sleep better tonight knowing that the green gladiolas will be crooked.