ODJ: what you ain’t got

Eat, Our Daily Journey | July 21, 2009 12:55 am

july211

July 21, 2009 


The peace I give is 
a gift the world cannot give (v.27). 

READ: John 14:23-29 

Harrison Ford’s career embodies success. His 
 movies have earned more than $6 billion
 (US). But in a recent interview, Ford made this profound, albeit ungrammatical comment: “You only want what you ain’t got.” The interviewer asked him what it was he wanted. Ford gave a one-word reply: “Peace.” 


How do you define success? Perhaps an elusive goal beckons just around the corner. If only I had “that,” you think, everything would be all right. But the truth is, that’s a lie. There is no thing out there that makes everything better.


On the night before He was crucified, Jesus gave His disciples the path to real peace. “Don’t let your hearts be troubled,” He said. “Trust in God, and trust also in Me” (John 14:1). 


Jesus based this peace on several things. He was preparing a permanent place for them (vv.2-4), and He would not leave them without an Advocate, the Holy Spirit (vv.16-17). He promised them eternal life with Him. “I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you,” He said. “Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in Me, and I am in you” (vv.18-20). Although the disciples did not fully comprehend His words, they would recall them in the future and find the peace they would need to carry out Jesus’ commands.


“I am leaving you with a gift,” Jesus concluded, “peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid” (v.27). 


The one thing we all want is one thing we cannot arrive at without divine intervention. There is no peace without the peace that Jesus gives. 


—Tim Gustafson

NEXT
List your top three goals. What kind of success would they bring if you reached them? How will they help you find peace? 

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