You are driving your rental through a city you have never been in.  The British lady on the GPS says, “Take the next right hand turn ” but you are pretty sure that where you are going is off to the left, somewhere.  You shut off the GPS and turn left.  Now what?  You think, “I guess I’m on my own here…”   If you have ever been there and done that, you know your stress escalates.  There is no peace at that moment.  It is much more peaceful to simply follow instructions than it is to find your own way.  Despite occasional glimpses of “deja vu,” your future is a place you have never been.

In this third post about finding peace, the kind of peace Jesus said He gives us (John 14:27 – scroll down to read the two previous posts), Jesus models peace that comes from following His GPS (God Positioning System).

³⁰ I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me, ³¹ but he comes so that the world may learn that I love the Father and do exactly what my Father has commanded me.
“Come now; let us leave.  (John 14:30-31)

Faith in God does what He says.  So-called faith that does not obey God is not really faith. When you know for sure God has a plan (Peace on Earth 1), He knows what is going to happen and is in control (Peace on Earth 2) it really makes sense to obey Him.  And it brings peace.  Obedience to the instructions and commands of an expert is much more peaceful than guessing what to do on our own.   You want peace?  Act out your faith by doing exactly what God tells you to do.

Jesus taught this same principle:

²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30)

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me” means, let me tell you what to do “and you will find rest for your souls.”  You want peace?  Obey Jesus, obey God.  Sounds simplistic but sometimes the things that work best are simple.

Here’s a prayer for all you who read this, that you will enjoy real peace during this Christmas season, and all throughout your life – right here on earth.