"Love and peace of mind do protect us. They allow us to overcome the problems that life hands us. They teach us to survive, to live now, to have the courage to confront each day."
—Bernie Siegel
From the start of our social distancing practices, I have been reading a lot. I've been reading news articles about COVID-19, the economy, the politics of governing a pandemic, and the public health challenges that the states and federal governments are trying to navigate. Most of this reading, if I'm honest, has been depressing to read. Amid these articles and stories, I have found a growing number of stories where people are sharing their discoveries during this COVID-19 era. One article that has stood out the most comes from a woman in Italy that shared how, at the beginning of her government's lockdown, she was angry and cynical about this new reality. This woman shared vulnerably that one day, her husband gave her a profound reality check. The husband mentioned that her bitterness wasn't helping anyone, that in fact, it was making their home life miserable. The words her husband shared awoke something deep within and changed her life. The woman shared that as their food supplies began to dwindle, and they weren't allowed to leave their home, she began to dig deeper into her pantry to create meals. As a result, she started to develop new meals in the kitchen, combining different foodstuffs and different spices. The result was the discovery of dishes they had never tried before but loved the experimentation. This woman shared that for the first time, they were sitting together and enjoying each meal as a family. The new worldview that she discovered extended beyond the kitchen and dinner table too. The woman recounted her discovery of spring in her city. She was marveling at the blooming of trees and flowers and relishing the sounds and songs of birds and animals that her noisy city used to drown out with humanmade industrial orchestras. This attitude change opened her eyes to a new world in the middle of deep global uncertainties. This story made me think of Jesus' closing words in John 14: "I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don't be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. I don't have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let's be going" (John 14:27-31, New Living Translation). So, let's get going. This anchor of hope that I want to point you to is another gift that Jesus is giving to us. This gift is peace of mind and heart, according to the text above. Jesus knows that we are living in an era of uncertainty, anxiety, and frustration. Jesus, more than anyone, gets it because He was navigating all of the same feelings and emotions as He was getting ready to die on the cross. Jesus is with us, and He wants you to enjoy the gift of peace in mind and heart. Before we talk about this gift more in-depth, I want to highlight something that I'm noticing. Lots of people are quoting another passage regarding peace. One of my friends likes to say that this passage seems to be the COVID-19 Bible promise. This Bible text is in Matthew 6:25-27: "That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn't life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren't you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?" (New Living Translation). This passage is an excellent reminder of how Jesus is with us, and no matter the uncertainties and the things that we are lacking, the promise is that God will provide for us. Jesus is calling us not to worry, and the only way this is possible is with peace. Now, this text in Matthew tells us something about acquiring this peace. Most of us miss it. Honestly, I never saw it until recently. Jesus says that we need to look at the birds. Now, this does go beyond looking at birds. In the original Greek, the word "look" is emblepsate, and Jesus uses this word as a command. The best translation for emblepsate means "to take into consideration as an example" (Logos Bible Software: Exegetical Guide). Jesus tells us that we are to consider the birds of the air thoroughly. I find that the only way to do this is by slowing down. In my opinion, the best gift that came out of this COVID-19 era is that we are all slowing down. The fast pace, high stress, world that we were living is gone, and we are all trying to adjust to this new world. For some of us, this has caused lots of new stress, but it is still a time of slowing down. As we slow down, let us start considering the world that we are living in, and let's start enjoying it. At this slower pace, take time to analyze and enjoy the world we are navigating. By doing this, we are setting ourselves up to receive the gift of peace that Jesus has promised us. Now, let's look at the word "peace." The word that Jesus uses in John 14 is pointing to the Hebrew word shalom. In Hebraic culture, shalom is the idea that God brings order and balance to the world. Some rabbis teach that sin is the culpable disruption of shalom. When sin entered the world in the Garden of Eden, God began the redemptive work of restoring this world to shalom. When Jesus died on the cross, Jesus brought shalom into the world as a tangible thing that we can enjoy today. Jesus tells us that He came to give us "a rich and satisfying life" (John 10:10, New Living Translation). The anxiety that we are all facing is not part of God's will for us. This anxiety is not shalom. This anxiety is what the devil uses to rob us of Jesus' gift of peace. But I want to make something unmistakable–anxiety is not sin. What you do with the anxiety you are facing may turn into sin because it may lead you to doubt God. The reality is that anxiety is the body telling us that something is out of our control. The mind and our heart (or emotions) do not know how to handle the changes that we are facing. The gift that Jesus gives of peace is the realization that today, right now, is a gift that we can enjoy. The structure of the world, with all of its complexities, may not be to our satisfaction, but it is still a gift from God. When we dwell on the anxiety, we deny the present and long for the future. Jesus came to give us a rich and satisfying life today. May we slow down, may we analyze the world, and may we enjoy the gift that Jesus gives us today. The future can take care of itself, and in that future, God will provide every one of our needs. May you enjoy this gift of peace in your mind and your heart. Grace and Peace, Pastor Geraldo
Discussion Questions:
How is your anxiety during this COVID-19 era? Have you been paying attention to your emotions?
Do you struggle with anxiety? Remember, anxiety is not a sin. It is an opportunity for us to trust Jesus and claim the gift of peace that He has for us. In a moment of prayer, I invite you to name your anxieties to God and when you are done listing them, ask God to fill your heart and mind with peace. (Be aware that we tend to practice anxiety more than we practice receiving peace. Keep praying and God will faithfully give you what you seek. Read Matthew 7:7-11.)
Another great prayer exercise is to say prayers of gratitude. In this time of prayerful consideration, tell God everything that you are thankful for in your life. This will encourage us to enjoy the present and acknowledge God's faithful providence in our life.