Perfect Peace

The river in the morning yesterday was still and silent. No one else was out yet. No motorboats marred the quiet. The breeze was barely perceptible. It was completely peaceful. I glided along the shore in my kayak and several times nearly collided with a Great Blue Heron. He was so intent on catching his breakfast that he was paying no attention to me. When he did notice me, he didn't seem very perturbed and I was only about 5 feet away as he nabbed a little fish and gobbled it down. Sometimes I would put my paddle across my lap and just float, letting the gentle current carry me.

Just the day before, I had kayaked as well, and there had been gusts of wind so fierce that I was paddling with all my might and still not inching forward! There were whitecaps on the river, which I almost never see. I was exhausted after an hour, though I spent most of my upwind paddling in an inlet water path through the middle of an island, thus the wind was blocked a bit. What a difference a day makes! One day barely any progress and certainly little peace; the next day effortless and perfect calm. Sounds like life....

I love what the Bible says about finding contentment. It is not to be based on circumstances because circumstances change, sometimes dramatically. If our source of peace is found in our circumstances, we will bounce around like a ping pong ball. There are verses littered throughout the Bible that remind us perfect peace and contentment abides in God alone. If we keep our eyes on Him, our hearts yielded to Him, and satisfied with His will and provision, we will know contentment.

Even in the gale two days ago, I enjoyed being on the river. Yesterday, I was captivated by the whisper of a breeze and the still waters. Really, all that mattered to me was to be in the presence of such beauty on the river laid out for me, whether white caps or calm waters.

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Philippians 4:11-12

Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.

Hebrews 13:5 

Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

1 Timothy 6:6-8

Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Isaiah 26:3 

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.