Coming to Jesus my Savior I’ve found
Wonderful peace, wonderful peace
Storms and their fury may rage all around
I have peace, sweet peace
Peace, peace, wonderful peace
Peace, peace, glorious peace
Since my redeemer has ransomed my soul
I have peace, sweet peace.
There’s nothing like having peace in your life, right?… peace in your home… peace in your heart… and especially, the peace of God in your marriage. It is wonderful peace! And there’s a secret to cultivating that kind of peace (which really does pass all human understanding, because sometimes you know how many conflicts can erupt between a husband and wife, right?!).
And the secret? What was God’s approach when it came to loving someone who is so very different than you are? Well, God did not wait around until He got an apology out of us before He sent Jesus. I mean God didn’t stay up there and fold His arms, tap His foot, and look at His watch waiting until we finally came around to His side of things, until we finally shaped up and changed our ways and quit being so stubborn and stupid. No, God took the initiative. That’s the secret. God caught us up short in that “while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” It amazes me that the Lord loved me long before I promised to give Him my life or to ask Him to change my ways. And the result is just as the apostle John predicted: I find that I love Jesus because He first loved me. It’s that thing about taking the first step!
And that’s the secret for a good marriage, I’m convinced. And nothing – absolutely nothing – cultivates peace in a relationship, whether between husbands and wives or just friends – nothing makes for peace more than taking the initiative to love in the face of conflict. Or taking the initiative to show mercy when someone has wronged you. Friend, you’ve got to take the first step. You’ve got to quit holding back, tapping your foot, looking at your watch until the other person sees things your way.
It’s not only a principle God uses with us; it’s also a plan of action that we, in turn, need to do with each member of our family. So, are you looking for peace in your marriage? Peace as it concerns a relationship with a friend or a neighbor or a coworker? Don’t sit there and stew in your stubbornness. If you want to heal what’s hurting, either in your life or in the life of another, take the initiative. Take the first step. It’s something that Jesus would do.
Used by permission of
JONI AND FRIENDS
P.O. Box 3333
Agoura Hills, CA 93176
© Joni and Friends