Peace is my Governor
The governors of our states have certainly had a higher profile since the start of Covid-19. At least that’s my take on it. Though their responsibilities are tremendous anyway, they have had the power to keep us in our homes or not, wearing masks or not, having school at home instead of at school, closing or opening restaurants and businesses and so on. In other words, they have regulated what their states do or don’t do.
The word I’m emphasizing today is “governor”. Governor is also a device that automatically regulates the supply of fuel, steam, or water to a machine, ensuring uniform motion or limiting speed. Ensuring uniformity is my take on what a governor is. My mother had a governor. I learned so much about peace from her — lessons that I learned from her many years of taking care of my daddy who was very ill, working a full-time job and ensuring that my well-being didn’t skip a beat. As tough as the times were, I never remember her being afraid, anxious, worried, or stressed. I only remember her singing and praying her way through everything. Peace was her “governor”.
When I started blogging eleven years ago, back when it would have seemed I had every right in the world to cave in to anxiety and fear, I remembered my mom’s coping mechanism. It was her governor of God’s peace. I started blogging and, quite frankly, not only have I experienced inexplicable peace during the worst of times, but I’ve been able to pay it forward and convey to others how they, too, can live in a place of peace that passes understanding.
If there’s anything I protect and hold most precious to my heart, it’s God’s peace. That peace has been my dearest ally and friend for many years. When I wake in the morning, I know peace is with me. When I go to bed at night, I ensure His peace is with me by not watching the evening news or some horror flick. I go to bed with peace. In the middle of the night when turmoil tries to overwhelm me, I remember “Him I will keep in perfect peace whose mind is STAYED on Me.” (Isaiah 26:3). If I encounter conflict in the lives of others, I’ll steer clear of that conflict at all costs.
I know that peace is God’s will. That heavenly peace is a state of absolute tranquility right during what could be the worst situation. It is comfort when life is extremely UN-comfortable. Fear can be lurking behind every corner, but a state of peace looks at fear and laughs at it. (I love that verse in Proverbs 31:25 “…..she laughs without fear of the future.”) That peace isn’t something that comes and goes — depending on our circumstances. The peace I’m talking about is the “governor” of our lives. Peace is my governor. This kind of peace should GOVERN our lives in all things at all times. When the things of life disturb us — that stack of bills, a negative health report, the troubled relationship, anxious feelings of our own inadequacy — is when we need to submit to the Governor of Peace.
Here’s the good news: We can have that kind of peace. Jesus told His disciples, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27.