“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the herald,
who proclaims peace, who brings news of good things
who proclaims salvation, who says to Zion, 
‘Your God reigns!’” Isaiah 27:7 HCSB

Peace seems to elude me of late. 
Unsettling questions, what ifs, and scary possibilities have crowded into my space. Health, safety, social justice. When can I be with others? When can I be alone? When will things change?

So today, I am seeking peace on my patio, where my hydrangeas bloom in cool shades of pink and blue. Tomato vines thrive in early summer heat, lush green, offering a promise of sweet fruit to come. Even my sweet peas continue to bloom past the point at which they should be finished. They encourage me with the thought that we can bloom despite expectations, despite harsh conditions.

Butterflies waltz by, and although I can’t see them from here, I know that bees are drinking in sweet nectar from the lavender at the front of the house. This my little bit of Eden.

In the movie A Little Chaos, one of the key figures observes “God put us first into a garden and when we lost Eden, we were fated to search and reinvent it again, but only some of us have the gift of knowing this.” Gardening and creating are acts of faith. This is an idea that resonates, because it reflects so much of what I have done all my life. Creating spaces that offer peace, comfort, and calm. I do this for myself mostly, although I hope others will enjoy these spaces, too.

Peace is sometimes the fruit of my garden. But I am learning that peace, like patience, like the dirt-digging, weed-pulling work involved in creating a garden, is a form of action. It is choosing to live life at the speed at which it actually happens, not rushing ahead into the future with fear or dwelling on the past with regret.  Peace — that deep sense of harmony, wholeness, and health even in the midst of chaos — is a choice. We achieve it by fixing our attention on God, “choosing thankful prayer over wallowing in anxiety and worry.”  (Shirer, 111) We choose to put on the shoes of peace and walk in them. 

All too often, we believe peace is impossible in our community, in our homes and our marriages. Impossible in the light of scary test results and uncertain futures. Our default setting is defeat.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, does it? If we all choose peace? Peace in our family, with our friends, in our neighborhoods and workplaces. Peace in our community. In our faith community. Peace.

Paul tells us that the shoes of peace are essential if we are going to be fully prepared for every circumstance. His model is the sandals worn by Roman soldiers, tied tight, with hobnail bottoms for traction. But in my mind’s eye, my shoes of peace are jazzy, multi-colored high tops. Who says you can’t deliver peace with a little flair?

Many times, we ask God to provide us with peace, and we envision fuzzy slippers. We want God to warm our hearts and our toes and keep us safe and comfortable. Then we will feel at peace.

But you wouldn’t go outside in your slippers, would you? (My mother was appalled that a neighbor would drive her daughter to school dressed in a housecoat and slippers. But I digress.) Most people don’t go out in their slippers. 

So, the fuzzy slippers of peace are really not effective if you want to move forward and demonstrate the peace of Christ in the world. Or even in your own heart. Priscilla Shirer calls the shoes of peace Go Shoes. She says, “You are a publisher of peace, a messenger of good news. Through God’s Word, you can pronounce freedom and peace over your own circumstances. (Imagine that!) and even the lives of those you love. You can shout, “our God reigns” until He actually does reign in your mind and heart and circumstance. Your feet have been made ready by the gospel. Now go!”

Putting on the shoes of peace begins with trust that leads to gratitude. So, today I will be thankful for my quiet garden, for what is true, honorable, beautiful, commendable in my life. I will be thankful that I can choose peace. I hope you will join me.

Let’s GO!

Click here for more.https://livingontheedge.org/2019/07/03/experience-peace-in-the-midst-of-anxiety/

1. Shirer, Priscilla. The Armor of God. Lifeway Press: Nashville, 2015.