I am joining fellow author Lynda Lambert on her Sunday Blessings Blog Journey. Every Sunday we’ll be posting about a blessing in our lives. You can read her blog

here

Abbie Johnson Taylor is doing likewise over at:

her Abbie’s Corner blog .

This upcoming Sunday is the 2nd in the 4 Sundays of advent, and today we light the candle of peace. Peace is one of those blessings that’s really hard to define, but we know it when we see it, and even more when we feel it.

The image is of Rembrandt’s painting of Jesus calming the storm on Lake Gallilee. In 1 sense, there’s almost something commical about the whole scene. The disciples are struggling against the waves, likely screaming and soiling themselves and their boats because of the body’s very predictable responses to incredible fear and dread, while Jesus snores in the back of the boat, seemingly oblivious to the chaos around him. I would suggest he’d need to be sleeping extremely soundly, because these violent storms on the Sea of Gallilee are known to typically occur in winter, when the water temperature is about 68 degrees. I’ve gone swimming in Lake Michigan in the summer when the water temperature hovered around that, and folks, let me tell you, it was *cold!*

When someone finally manages to rouse him and asks whether he cares if they’re all killed, he simply gets up and utters “Peace, be still!” Mark 4:39, ESV. And the lakes throes ceased, replaced by a mirror-like quiet.

I’ve looked back over my life a number of times when my absolute worst fears never came true. I was all flustered and worried & in a dither, while Jesus sat back and said, “Girl, just cool it. I’ve got this!” He says it to us daily. “I’m in control, and don’t you or nature or illness or death ever forget it!” Sadly, the one most likely to forget it is me.

Here’s the first verse of a song I wrote about that scripture. If I can find the tape, I’ll put it up.

A small boat being swamped on the Lake of Gallilee
The disciples struggling hard against the waves,
And they woke Jesus saying, “Don’t you care if we are killed?”
And he rose up and uttered, “Peace! Be still!”

“Peace be still, don’t you know
I am ever in control
And I guard each step that you trod.
When the road of life’s dark, and it seems you’ve lost your way–
Peace, be still, and know that I’m your God.
Peace, be still, and know that I’m your God.”

Mark 4:35-41

I really appreciate Lynda telling me about her project, I appreciate her welcoming me to join her, and I wish you God’s peace throughout this holy season and throughout your lives the whole year long.