Psalm 34:14. The Pursuit of Peace

May I choose goodness-

Seeking peace in the wonder

Of this daily life.

My biggest mistake when first attempting to understand the concept of peace was that I pictured it as a stopping place. Once there, my work was done.

People often describe the moment of coming to faith as a moment that simply arrives at their feet as well. They suddenly know the direction of their life, and this surrender to God is a joyous celebration of an assumed arrival.

They have been saved. All is forgiven.

Yet life moves on after every lived moment. I've come to realize that peace isn't a stationary endpoint but a constant pursuit. It's an ongoing journey we must navigate, much like the relentless course of life, regardless of our readiness.

Julian of Norwich beautifully emphasizes the importance of viewing faith as seeking God more than seeing God. That viewpoint has always resonated with me, and I believe the endeavor of seeking of God runs parallel to the brave pursuit of peace.

I've discovered that peace, akin to faith, demands intentionality and effort. It necessitates a continuous quest—a venture into the wilderness of seeking God repeatedly. It resides in trust and surrender, amidst both joy and sorrow, and is always intertwined with hope.

It surfaces when we summon the courage to open our eyes to our surroundings and release the burdens we stubbornly carry alone.

Instead of pursuing peace as an ending destination, I view it as a place to pause- a place to rest in gratitude before life propels us into the next unforeseen chapter. It's an inherent part of us, a facet that God places within, yet one for which we must consistently seek. This process of the pursuit of peace, like the pursuit of faith, is what more firmly grows us and grounds us in the heavenly body instead of the worldly one.