In spite of all our sense of uncleanness, in spite of all our rush and interest in the work of the world, and in spite of all our logic, the implicit sense of God will come and disturb our peace. ~ Oswald Chambers
Peace has always been attached to a place for me. The ocean. The cottage. And now La Foce.
Just get me there and I’ll experience peace.
But after 72 hours into our trip to Italy, I realized that my idea of true peace has been misplaced.
It’s not about a place.
Peace is not geographical.
Peace is not easily achieved by driving or flying to a beautiful location.
Peace is not about comfort.
There are certain places that can make you “feel” peaceful while you’re there. But that feeling does not last. As soon as you return to “normal” life, the peaceful feeling fades.
My “peace” was ripped apart in Tuscany, sitting among the path of hydrangeas, on a Sunday morning.
I mean, the setting was peace inducing.
But my heart was ripped open there.
Surrounded by beauty, Jesus touched my heart and revealed the ugliness inside.
There was an abuse of my soul that morning.
It took a trip across an ocean, on a different continent, to expose some restlessness that had settled in my heart.
The distractions that had settled inside my heart became invitations to prayer.
Restlessness was uncovered. Peace was disturbed.
Burdens were lifted.
Is true peace achievable?
The answer is yes.
But it’s not achieved in a place.
True peace is found in a Person.
True peace is being shaken to your core by your Father, uncovering those comforts to reveal a heart of misplaced peace.
True peace is a journey that will be disturbed time and again.
The path of peace for us is to hand ourselves over to God and ask Him to search us, not what we think we are, or what other people think we are, or what we persuade ourselves we are or would like to be, but, ‘Search me out, O God, explore me as I really am in Thy sight.’ ~ Oswald Chambers
emily p freeman says
August 15, 2016 at 11:22 amWhat an honor to bear witness to your peace and your Peace, Caroline. You are a gift and I’m so grateful for you.
Caroline TeSelle says
August 15, 2016 at 5:36 pmLove you friend.
Libbie Lowe says
August 15, 2016 at 12:13 pmAgain, beautifully written.
Only God brings us that inner peace and it doesn’t happen instantly when we pray but, it surely is awesome when it does, isn’t it?
Caroline TeSelle says
August 15, 2016 at 5:37 pmYes it is! Love you.
Lauren says
August 20, 2016 at 6:42 amThis is beautiful, Caroline. “True peace is a journey that will be disturbed time and time again.” Another paradox in the life of a follower of Christ. Joy in suffering. Life in death. Peace through disturbance. I love that.
Caroline TeSelle says
August 20, 2016 at 8:45 amThank you Lauren. It’s a hard truth to learn, isn’t it? But beautiful.
Maureen Benke says
August 20, 2016 at 11:41 amI found myself in my own little kitchen with the rain showering down outside reading your article on PEACE. It is TRUE that PEACE comes from God. If only we would just get out of the way and let him dwell. In Ephesians 1 we are told that we have been given EVERY spiritual blessing in the heavenly places…..WOW! Think on that a minute…EVERY….EVERY…spiritual blessing in the heavenly places….now, wouldn’t that include PEACE? We just have to constantly remember that we are NOT home yet; but, home in the form of PEACE can be with us now because we have been given the Holy Spirit and are NOT left alone. Thank you for your beautiful writing. I enjoyed it!
Caroline TeSelle says
August 21, 2016 at 6:42 amWe do need those constant reminders don’t we? Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts!
Susan Bricker says
August 23, 2016 at 8:50 amBeautiful words Caroline!Powerful truths!
Caroline TeSelle says
September 2, 2016 at 7:24 am<3
Mary Carver says
September 1, 2016 at 9:04 amThis is beautiful. <3
Caroline TeSelle says
September 2, 2016 at 7:24 amThank you Mary, 🙂