Last week, I talked about how the resurrection of Jesus brought his presence. This week, we’ll talk about how the resurrection of Jesus brings peace.

A long time ago, I would do a lot of hiking and mountain climbing with my late husband Bill. We also would climb rocks–big ones–for “fun.” He enjoyed that much more than I did but one climb I’ll never forget was one clear, spring day more than twenty years ago now.

The weather was perfect and the Columbia Gorge winds were calm. Bill and I sat on top of the 325-foot monolith, enjoying the view from our perch. The bright blue sky contrasted with the newly sprouted lime-green colored leaves and dark green fi rs. A soft breeze, smelling of honey from the blossoming fruit trees below, ruffl ed my hair. All too soon it was time to go back down. I looked nervously at Bill. Going down meant rappelling off the rock. I dreaded rappelling, though I had forced myself to do it numerous times. If there was a way to walk down off a climb, I would. But it was extremely dangerous to climb down from Rooster Rock, a double-roped cliff, my longest rappel yet. Bill set up the rope for the rappel down, hooking it carefully into my harness until I was ready to go. “Just lean back, sweetheart. You’ll be OK. Trust me. Trust the rope and protection.”

“I can’t do this! I’m too scared!” I choked, trying not to cry.

“You can do it; I know you can. Put your right hand behind your back and keep the brake on.” I knew Bill’s advice was sound. He was fastidiously careful in everything he did. I wanted Bill to be proud of me and knew I had to do it, had to lean back. I had to trust him. I held my breath and tilted backward. Clunk! The sound of the chain adjusting itself to the rappel rope gave a jolt. My heart jumped and then I began to ease myself down, talking out loud the whole time. “Okay, okay, honey. I’m doing it. Here I go.” Brake hand back, I reminded myself. Legs straight to the wall. I moved one foot down, then the other and eased the rope through the figure eight apparatus. While most climbers will relax and go down quickly, mine was a slow descent. I wanted to get there safely and didn’t care how long it took. A few moments later I was at the foot of the rock. I called up to Bill at the top. “Off rope!” I took the rope out of my harness, waiting for his descent in his black climbing shorts and much-used fuchsia-colored rock shoes. The well-defined muscles of his legs moved with confidence as he rappelled down. He took off his leather gloves and with his large right hand, gave me a high five. “Good job, Shirley! I’m proud of you!” In a playful growl, he added, “You mountain woman, you!” It was his term of endearment, filling me with me a warm glow.

When I reached the ground, I was relieved but also filled with peace. I’d reached my goal. I didn’t wimp out, and I knew my husband was proud of me…

Rooster Rock

When the disciples were hiding in a locked room on the day after the Jewish Sabbath, all of a sudden, Jesus appeared to them.

On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord. 21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 

They were overjoyed. And they were changed when Jesus appeared to them. Can you imagine their emotions when that happened? And the peace they experienced when they realized he was no longer dead, but alive! Jesus said “peace” twice to them. And I’ll bet they were at peace.

16 Now may the Lord of peace himself give you his peace at all times and in every situation. The Lord be with you all (2 Thessalonians 3:16).6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7).

I could include many more places where God promises peace. And not the kind of peace we are promised in our world where there is conflict in so many places, but his peace–that “exceeds anything we can understand.”

On that Spring day so long ago, I experienced peace after the “trauma” of rapelling down from a high place, but we are promised perfect peace from Jesus Christ.

I love the song “Be Still My Soul” put to the music from Finlandia by Siblelius.

Be still, my soul! the Lord is on your side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to your God to order and provide;
In ev’ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul! your best, your heav’nly friend
Thru’ thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

2. Be still, my soul! your God does undertake
To guide the future as he has the past;
Your hope, your confidence, let nothing shake;
all now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul! the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he lived below.

3. Be still, my soul! when dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears,
Then shall you better know his love, his heart,
Who comes to soothe your sorrow and your fears.
Be still, my soul! your Jesus can repay
From his own fullness all he takes away.

4. Be still, my soul! the hour is hast’ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.
Be still my soul! when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last. (Kathrina von Schlegel).

Enjoy the beautiful instrumentation of the song below:

I’d love to hear your story when you’ve experienced God’s perfect peace. Message me!

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