Life with Jesus

 Part 2: Seeking Inner Peace

Psalm 23:2-3, KJV

    This past Tuesday, NBC Nightly News reported that high school students in New Mexico are sleeping during class.  This information probably comes as no surprise to you.  However, these students are receiving special permission to sleep in some very special places.  Students are lying on a recliner and listening to music in one of several sleeping pods.  Sleeping pods are frequently placed in airport terminals for weary travelers.   Many adolescents, though, are receiving half the recommended hours of sleep each night.  They toss and turn in bed as a consequence of excessive worry about their grades, what their peers are saying about them on social media, how they will perform against competition, and a host of other concerns.
            Restlessness is a growing problem in America.  Forty percent of Americans receive less than seven hours of sleep per night.

1  Two-thirds report that their sleep needs are not being met during the week.2   100,000 accidents occur due to drowsy driving each year.3

            Anxiety is one predominant cause of our collective fatigue.  We humans are prone to worry.  The New Testament defines worry as a divided mind.  Our thoughts are split between what is happening now and what we fear may or may not happen in the future.

            So, into this world of care and concern steps the shepherd.  Of the Lord God, David wrote,

“He makes me to lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside the still waters.  He restores my soul…” (Psalm 23:1-2, KJV).

  David knew something about sheep.  Sheep are restless creatures.  Everything must be picture perfect for a sheep to sleep.  Predators cannot be lurking about.  No infighting between sheep can occur.  Mosquitoes must not buzz in their ears.  Sheep need absolute peace.

            Note the words David used of God.  He makes me to lie down.  He leads me beside.  David implies that God takes charge of our well-being.

            Green pastures are not plentiful throughout the Holy Land.  The terrain in southern Israel is not lush and green.  Much of the landscape is rocky.  Boulders have to be removed.  The soil must be tilled.  Seed must be sown and the land has to be watered before grass can grow.  Preparing pasture suitable for sheep to graze was, and still is, the job of a shepherd.

            What the shepherd does for sheep, God does for you.  Years ago, my father visited the Holy Land.  He was traveling on a tour bus headed north toward the Sea of Galilee.  Dad noticed in the distance a man walking behind a flock of sheep driving them forward with a whip.  Dad asked the tour guide why this alleged shepherd was acting so cruelly to the sheep.  The tour guide replied, “Sir, that’s no shepherd.  That is the butcher.”

            Contrary to what some may think God doesn’t stand behind you shouting to keep moving, to keep pressing, and to keep driving ahead.  No, God instead bids you to follow him at a healthy pace, toward a healthy place.  Peace comes when you recognize that God is in front clearing a path for you.  He is clearing the boulders out of your way.  He is ensuring that your every step is secure.

            So often we worry how we are going to pay tuition for next semester.  We fret how will manage life after we retire.  We fuss as to how we will maintain a balanced life between work and family.  We fear how we will handle grief when our spouse dies.  The Good News is this: 

“We will find grace to help us when we need it”

(Hebrews 4:16, NLT).  God grants us everything we need at the time we need it.

            Because God is leading us, our greatest challenge is to not get ahead of God.  God offers the resources we need today to meet today’s problems.  Attempting to solve tomorrow’s problems with today’s resources will only lead to frustration and compound our anxiety.

            Just as importantly, you and I must recognize and resist the urge to make mountains out of molehills.  Too many of us magnify our problems and at the same time minimize God, when we should be minimizing our problems by magnifying God.

            One of my favorite Christian tunes is this song by Alan Jackson:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face;

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.”

            An old story is told of a traveler who took a safari into the deep jungles of Africa.  The man’s guide walked before him with a machete clearing away the brush.  With an anxious tone, the traveler asked the guide, “Where are we?  Where are you taking me?  Where is the path?”  All to which the guide replied, “I am the path.”

            We do the same thing with God.  We ask the same questions.  We’re like a child in the back of an SUV asking mom and dad, “Are we there yet?”  The truth is we aren’t there yet.  We haven’t come upon the green pastures.  We haven’t arrived at still waters.

            We are still in the jungle where predators pose a threat.  The sweat pours off our skin from the stress of the journey.  The trees block a clear view of our destination.  The reality is that this present jungle through which we are walking hasn’t changed but we have.  In the midst of restlessness we have found rest in the One who can lead us out.  Jesus said that he is the way.  He is the path.  He is the One we trust.  Therefore, he is our peace.

            Matthew tells the story as to how Jesus once walked upon the water in the midst of a storm.  The disciples were terrified of drowning.  When they saw Jesus walking toward them through the waves they became even more afraid.  Jesus told them not to fear.  Upon recognizing Jesus, Peter asked Jesus if he could join Jesus by walking on the water himself.  But, as Peter approached Jesus, he saw the ferocity of the wind.  The rain pelted down even harder.  Peter sank beneath the waves all because he took his eyes off of Jesus.  However, Jesus reached out his hand and stilled Peter’s heart.

            One of my wife’s, Cathy’s, favorite quotes is this:  “Christ may not always calm the storm about the child.  Sometimes, he calms child in the midst of the storm.”

            So, sing with me now Alan Jackson’s song as an affirmation of faith:

“Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face;

and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of his glory and grace.”

            Prayer:

            Lord Jesus, I find my mind frequently divided between the present and the future.  My thoughts race anxiously as to what may or may not happen.  My ability to concentrate on the matters at hand is limited by worry.  In my moments of anxiousness, grant me the grace I need to believe that you are preparing a way forward.  When the storms of life assail, give me a peace of heart and mind to know that you are in charge of my future and that all will be made well.  Through Christ’s name I pray.  Amen.

 

Sources Cited

 

  1. Gallup, Jeffrey Jones M. “In U.S., 40% Get Less Than Recommended Amount of Sleep.” Gallup.com. N.p., 19 Dec. 2013. Web. 12 Mar. 2017
  1. “Annual Sleep in America Poll Exploring Connections with Communications Technology Use and Sleep.” N.p., n.d. Web.
  1. “Facts and Stats.” Drowsy Driving Stay Alert Arrive Alive RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar. 2017.