Peace is calm amid the storm

Advent/Christmas is a season when we think especially about peace. We remember the words of the Old Testament prophet, Isaiah, who spoke of the time when people would "beat swords into plowshares, nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," a time when "The wolf shall dwell with the lamb." Unfortunately, our world has not seen that vision come true. However, perhaps while still seeking that peace, we can also work toward achieving an inner peace ... a peace that strengthens us from the inside out in order to live in a world in which we hear the cries of "Peace, peace, when there is no peace."

A read a story recently of a King who offered a prize to the artist who would paint the best picture of peace. Many artists turned in their ideas of peace. The King looked at all of them and picked out two which seemed to be the best. One was of a calm lake, with towering mountains all around it, with fluffy white clouds in a blue sky. Most would have agreed it was a perfect picture of peace.

The other picture also had mountains, too, but there was rain and lightning, and down the side of the mountain was a raging waterfall. It looked anything but peaceful, but when the King looked carefully, he saw a tiny bush growing in a crack in the rock. There, in the midst of the rushing, raging water, a mother bird had built her nest in the bush.

The King chose the second picture and said, "Peace does not mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble, or hard work. Peace means to be in the midst of all those things and still be calm in your heart. That is the real meaning of peace."

Perhaps, in our troublesome world, that is the best we can hope.

So, during this season, I wish you a peace in which you can be in the midst of noise, trouble, or hard work, and still be calm in