...peace

Jesus was preparing his disciples for tough times. He was about to ascend to the Father and they would be on their own -- left to find their way through this world alone. And yet, they would not be alone. For He Himself would be with them as the Comforter, the Counselor, the Holy Spirit.

In 1520, Ferdinand Magellan battled for an entire year to find a passage around South America. There at the very tip of the continent, in its icy waters, he encountered some of the worst weather anywhere on earth. 

Raging seas, towering ice floes, and a mutinous crew plagued his efforts.  When he finally made his way through those straits (which today bear his name -- the Straits of Magellan), he entered into a great body of water that lay beyond, and as he and his men lifted their faces to heaven and gave thanks to God, he named the new ocean "The Peaceful One - the Pacific Ocean."

In His words to His disciples, Jesus desired to lead them (and us) in the same way to a place of peace. It is His desire to direct our feet and steer our lives from the paths that would lead into storms to His place of peace. "Let not your hearts be troubled," He says, "neither let them be afraid."  

"Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." (John 14:27)

-lee griess