In conversation with a good friend a few days ago, she made a statement in passing, that caused me to pause for a few moments. She spoke with an unmovable audacity that she would do nothing less than what was said. She spoke in a way that felt like the reality of her words is a normal part of her life, and in fact it is. I asked her not to say anything else, because I needed to process the words she spoke, with an ever so calming tone – “I operate at a pace of peace.”
As I consider this seven-word declaration, I am reminded of the way Jesus operated.
When Jesus found out Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was. He didn’t hurry to get to Lazarus or his sisters, Mary and Martha (see John 11).
When Jesus and the disciples were on the boat that was being tossed to and fro by the crashing waves of the sea, the disciples were in the front of the boat terrified, while Jesus took a nap in the back of the boat (see Mark 4:36-39).
When the wine ran out at the wedding feast at Cana, Jesus didn’t rush to find water pots to replace the wine for the guests (of which he was one also). As a matter of fact, Jesus didn’t even want to activate this miracle, as He felt it His time had not yet come (see John 2:1-11).
As the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6), it would only make sense that Jesus operated at a pace of peace. Jesus didn’t allow the people who needed Him or the people who hated Him determine His speed of miracles or movement. He lived peace.
In this fast paced, ever-changing world of influence we live in, are we operating at a pace of peace? Or are we operating at the pace of hurriedness and accomplishment chaos, trying to be attain certain goals and the be next best or the greatest?
Jesus tells us 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, neither let it be afraid.”
For Jesus to say I’m not giving to you as the world gives, lets us know we have continual access to peace. We know the world will give and take anything in a matter of moments. Jesus also lets us know we can always have peace, no matter what else is going on around us or even within us. Therefore, we don’t have to be troubled or afraid, because of this peace. We just have to tap in, activate it and stay connected to it.
Peace is our portion, and if we’re honest with ourselves, we should take a moment of pause and consider where we need to slow down. Though time is filled with swift transition, we can operate at a pace of peace.
