A church in Enoree, South Carolina, was holding choir practice when a baby at the gathering began crying. The choir director, who was the baby’s grandmother, took him and tried to comfort him, but to no avail. The baby was uneasy. Several women in turn held him, but he continued to cry. Eventually, his father stepped up and offered to hold him. As soon as he picked up the baby, he stopped crying and soon fell asleep.
“Interesting,” said the grandmother. “He found peace in the arms of his daddy.”
This little episode reminded me of the famous quote by Augustine: “You made us for Yourself, and our hearts find no peace until they rest in You.” How true.
So often in life, people do all sorts of things to find peace. Many turn to drugs and alcohol, and others turn to money and fame. Some engage in New Age practices, and some try different religions, or they live an immoral lifestyle. Despite their best efforts, they still come up short and find themselves empty. They find there is a hole or void in their lives that cannot be filled by the things of this world. In all honesty, it is a hole that only God can fill.
The Bible tells us that real peace and lasting fulfillment come through Jesus Christ, the Son of God. “Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:11Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: (Romans 5:1)). Jesus came into the world and died for our sins. He arose from the grave and is alive to grant us peace, the forgiveness of sins, and eternal life. He offers these blessings as a free gift because of His love for us. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:88But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)).
Isn’t this wonderful news? God, the creator of the universe, loves us so much that He sent His Son into the world to free us from sin and guilt. He came to also free us from judgment, the penalty of sin, which is eternal separation from God. “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. He that believeth in Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he [has] not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:17-1817For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:17‑18)).
Jesus invites us to come to Him. “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:2828Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28)).
Are you in need of rest? Have you been searching for peace? Do you need the forgiveness of sins? Then come to Jesus today. Ask Him for forgiveness and the free gift of eternal life. He has promised that all who come to Him will be accepted. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:3737All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. (John 6:37)). Simply come as you are. Like the baby who found peace in the arms of his daddy, if you believe, you will find peace in the arms of your heavenly Father.