There’s a Josh Garrell’s album I love called, “Peace to All Who Enter Here,” and one of the songs is called, “Peace Like a River.”
I got peace like a river,
I got peace like a river,
I got peace like a river in my soul.
(It’s a super fun song to sing with my 10-year-old!!)
When I think of peace, sometimes I think of stillness, or a quiet moment, or just space in my life to breathe more easily.
When I think of rivers, I think of rhythm, motion, bubbling/gurgling, current…
On the outset, these two definitions of peace and rivers don’t seem to go together, do they?!
As I pondered on this more, I thought about how peace is never compared to a stagnant pond…Sure they are still and quiet, but the thought of a stagnant pond leaves me feeling icky and uncomfortable.
I thought a little more about rivers, how they are constantly in motion – following the boundaries set by the banks, gurgling, bubbling, rushing over rocks, carrying leaves and debris and even boats and people.
Rethinking my definition of peace, I realized that my peaceful moments really are more like a river than a pond…
They are moments when I know the path forward because I trust in my Heavenly Father’s plan of happiness – like the banks of a river set a path for the river to follow.
They are moments of forward momentum when I move past being mentally or spiritually stuck, like the continuous momentum of the river.
They are moments when, like a river, I am renewed and cleansed through joyful repentance.
They are moments when I recognize how I am coming to Christ, drawing nearer to him and closing the gap between us.
Peace is so much more than just stillness! It is growth, energy, progress, cleansing, renewing, guiding and strength. It is motion and current and rhythm.
So maybe when I feel like my life is lacking peace, I won’t pray only for a quiet moment. I’ll pray for increased momentum, forward progress, a better understanding of my banks (Heavenly Father’s plan), and a reminder of how close I am to Him.
What do you think? How is peace like a river to you?
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