Encouragement

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Tenacious Peace

A certain turtle has jaws so strong that once it has clamped down on something, no tool can cause it to release its grip. To remove the turtle from its victim, the animal must actually be decapitated. And even then, the hoped-for relaxation of the clenched jaws does not begin to occur until around twelve hours after the turtle's death.

Now THAT is tenacity.

God, who presented that loveable little creature to the world, gave us another gift that never gives up. Jesus said, "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." (John 14:27)

The world might give us something, then eventually snatch it back. Not so with the peace Jesus gave. No tool can pry it loose from us; no method employed can separate us from it.

When I detached myself from childhood and drove across the country in my two-tone blue Chevy Chevette toward an uncertain future at age 20, peace revealed itself amidst the chaos of the early days of doubt after arrival...

When I received the call at work from my mother: "Brenda, Honey, I'm so sorry to have to tell you this, but...your dad died today...he drowned," the peace held firm--a foundational, unyielding, bedrock-level peace under the shifting layers of grief, questioning, worry, and shock.

When I drove another car away from the company where I had worked for over 11 years, I had no prospects for a new job and no self-esteem. Nevertheless, the sense of peace in the vehicle with me was so overwhelming I felt almost giddy.

Even in the dank depths of suicidal depression, two elements remained constant: God's love and the tenacious peace Jesus gives that just WILL NOT let us go! "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7)

Even as I write this, my family stands poised on the cusp of crisis once again. I do not know what the outcome will be, but I do know peace abides, peace abounds for us as believers if we keep our eyes on Him. The peace to which I refer is not the singing and swaying kind; this peace is tough, muscular, gritty, formidable.

Around twelve million millennia after my happy dash into His presence, I anticipate that the grip of that resolute peace on my heart will show no signs of give just yet.

Before your transition from this life into eternity, investigate God's tenacious peace for yourself; you will not be disappointed.

Brenda Kern
March 18, 2004

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