Peace in His Presence

In His presence, there is peace.

                                                                        - Jenno Marco Misa

     Today, if you surf around the web or watch the news, you will hear different stories of wars, nations extinguishing their own kind, and many stories of countries setting up nuclear weapons to increase military influence. When you go to work, what awaits you is a stack of papers and reports that need to be done, deadlines that need to be met, and backlogs that your boss has been asking you to expedite.

     In the midst of all these, we often make the mistake of giving out our joy and peace. Everything that surrounds us seems to be as chaotic and pressing as can be. There seems to be no room for calmness.

    The Bible talks about the Peace that surpasses all understanding in Philippians 4:7. The whole verse says “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)”

    Isn't it wonderful that in the midst of all the trouble out there in the world, there is a place where we can run unto where no evil can come close? Philippians 4:7 tells us about that so called place: in Christ Jesus.

     Basking in Jesus’ presence is not something that’s so drastic where you hear a loud voice from heaven, or a shining light radiating from afar – although these stories happened many times in the Bible. To come into Jesus’ presence is simply to call on Him, invite Him, and involve Him in your everyday life. Once you do this, you will sense a deep and contagious peace from within which then envelops your heart, guarding you from any bad news, stress, or even happenings that are detrimental to you. By just basking in His presence, you will realize that although there are storms, stress, and bad news bombarding you, you don’t get ‘bothered’ by all these. This is not slacking off. This is being enveloped by Peace.

     This effortless peace comes neither through meditating on the high mountains nor by donating certain amount to charities and orphanages. This Peace that surpasses all understanding can only come by being conscious of Jesus’ presence in your life. Once you have Him with you daily, then there is no news too bad, no stress too pressing, and no war too frightening can ever move you out of that place of peace and rest.