She was puzzled. I was in my first year of college and had been acting the fool for months. I won’t bore you with the story (actually, I’m avoiding the story because it would tell what a meathead I was.) Suffice it to say, I had treated my girlfriend poorly from November to March, but somehow she took me back in the spring of ’76. Her name was Sandie and she was my High School sweetheart. The chaos of conceit had ruled my brain for a season, but reconciliation came, and with it peace of mind. Coincidentally, in the summer after our renewal, “Boston” released its first album with the hit song, “Peace of Mind.” (Yes, old Baptist ministers can be classic rockers, too.) That peace of mind proved permanent and Sandie and I celebrate 33 years of marriage next May.
Paul makes reference in today’s text to four puzzles we all face in life. And in each mention, he includes the element of peace. The four puzzles are broken relationships, anxiety, the distraction of depravity, and the roller coaster of finances. How do you work these puzzles when all you want is to have your peace of mind?
Euodia and Synthyche have a broken relationship. They had been partners with each other, now they are in serious disagreement. The solution to the puzzle? A caring community that can remind them how much more they have in common, how much more they agree on than they disagree on. Compassionate intercession – Paul says, “I plead with them.” And he asks those who have been their co-workers in the cause of Christ to assist . “Help them!” The things we share as Christians, as yokefellows, are so much more valuable than our minor disagreements. Together we can help each other to get our peace back.
Worship and prayer is the solution to the next life-puzzle – anxiety. I have heard 'worrying' described as “praying to nobody.” It’s true; when we worry we tend to talk it over in our minds, painting worse case scenarios with our thoughts, and rehearsing our doom. Paul says we should rather be rejoicing. “Rejoice in the Lord always.” Whatever cause there is to worry, there are ten times the causes to rejoice! And instead of praying to nobody, pray with thanksgiving to God. Something amazing happens – a divine peace that is beyond comprehension comes and settles around your heart and mind.
The third puzzle is the distraction of depravity. Sin has a way of pushing itself in our faces. Paul observed and experienced this in the pre-Christian Roman world. How much more is this true in our multi-media, hyper-linked, post-Christian world? It’s easy to get depressed, bitter, cynical with so much bad news and so much bad behavior around us. The solution is focus; thought orientation. We need to keep our heads up and our thoughts fixed on the true, noble, right and pure things. In regard to anxiety, Paul said “the peace of God” would be with us. In regard to a depraved world, Paul says “the God of peace” will be with us. He Himself will be the Lifter of Our Heads.
Finally, there is the puzzle of unreliable resources. At times Paul has plenty, and at other times he has little. How well this resonates with us during this economic downturn. Many are scrambling to find employment or wondering how bad their credit will be damaged by foreclosure. But there is a solution for this challenge to our peace. We can learn the secret to contentment in every situation. We can learn that Christ’s resources don’t waver or run out! The inner strength to remain calm and at peace during financial crisis is ours in Jesus Christ. “God will meet all your needs according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus.”
Pray: Lord, be with those who are struggling mightily with the challenges of a cold and complex world. Help them to find true peace. Show me how I can be an instrument of your peace, to keep people from alienation, anxiety, depravity and despair.
Author’s Note: The lead singer for “Boston,” Brad Delp, never did find the peace of mind he so dynamically sang about. He took his own life in 2007, leaving among his notes, one that read -- "Mr. Brad Delp. Je suis une âme solitaire. I am a lonely soul."
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