I sat at my kitchen counter feeling weary, allowing myself a moment to breathe before I went back to folding laundry or working on my business.
In this moment of stillness, I picked up a newsletter from a missionary group we support. I thought, “I’ll read this and get back to work.”
But then, God.
I started with the opening letter from the CEO.
As I perused the words down the page, my eyes landed on this verse: “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” (John 14:27)
Not as the world gives do I give to you.
These words pierced my heart and tears sprang to my eyes. I was both humbled and grateful for such truth.
God doesn’t give like the world.
His stores of peace are not ending. He doesn’t run out of goodness. But even better, He doesn’t give expecting we can give Him as much in return.
When this world gives to us, it expects a return of equal measure. Our economies are based on this idea. I trade money – and the time it took me to earn it, for things that I value and need.
But Jesus isn’t like this.
He gives His mercy and grace abundantly. He gives far and away more and more than I could ever hope for or imagine.
I believe God loves us enough to want to be in a relationship with us. And it is not predicated on how much I can bring to Him.
And for this hurting world, where too often we base our value, or others’ value, on what we can give or get, this is beautiful beyond words.
He gives us peace when all we have to offer Him is anxiety.
And for a world swimming in anxiety, this is good news. So many of us hold troubled hearts, full of fear.
If this is you today, hang on. You are not alone. And you don’t have to struggle in silence. I, too, have worked through anxiety – am still working through it.
Your worth is not based on the state of your house. It is not based on the number of loads of laundry you need to fold. Nor is it based on a thriving business. Or what kind of hair day you’re having.
It is in the One who gives abundantly simply because He made you, you. May you find rest in this truth.