Finding Peace in Troubled Times

A brief but vivid dream of waiting in a large marquee to order coffee whilst every space I found was intruded upon by others, standing or leaning far too close, was still with me when I woke up this morning. Too much Covid-related news watching the previous night, I surmised.

Absolutely serious and dreadful though this pandemic is, with much suffering, physically and emotionally and also with unbearable loss for some, it is very much a part of our lives currently; almost everywhere we turn.

I love my walks around the area where I live (how blessed I am) and yet even yesterday, I felt the greyness and gloom enveloping; no photographs of beautiful views.

Sitting at the kitchen table later in the afternoon, reading from my Bible, I happened to look up, expecting dark clouds outside the window but was treated to a strip of pink cutting through the darkness that made me stop and stare.

Is it too late to share “The Gate of The Year”, well known to some but maybe not to others? I don’t think so.

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:
Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.
And he replied :Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.
So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.
And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.
Minnie Louise Haskins

For many, these “Covid” times are darkness itself; loneliness, isolation, frustration, grief, missing family and friends desperately. Some simple pleasure too, taken out from under our feet. Let these words be a comfort, inspiration or invitation during this year.

In John’s Gospel, Chapters 14-17, Jesus comforts His disciples before He is arrested and crucified.

The disciples had spent three years with Jesus, seeing His miracles, receiving His teaching, getting to know Him, asking questions, following Him and being cared for by Him.

Until they would see Him after His resurrection, they would scatter, be fearful and uncertain as they shut themselves in and huddled away for fear of the Jews.

Finding Peace

Before His arrest, Jesus tells them:

John Chapter 14 verse 27:

(Jesus says) “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”

Jesus tells them in John Chapter 16v33:

“ These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”

May we enjoy the peace that only He can give and which we can share with others.

For further reading:

Chapters 14-17 of John’s Gospel for Jesus words to his disciples.

You can read about Minnie Louise Haskins and learn more about her poem “The Gate Of The Year” HERE