The victor of my troubled heart
Do not let your hearts be troubled.
It’s an interesting thing, that. Do not let your hearts be troubled. As if they’re prone to that worrying state. Do not let your dog escape from the yard, we might say. Do not let your toddler get too close to the fire. There’s a tendency toward danger, toward disorder. It’s the dog’s desire to run, the toddler’s yearning to discover. And what of the heart? Is it truly prone to be troubled?
We live in a tragic world. A world of loneliness, disunity, misunderstanding. Parents don’t love their children as they ought. Men and women break each other’s hearts. We jump to conclusions and assume the worst of our neighbors. It is a troubling world.
In this world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world.
How easily I let my heart be troubled, just as easily as it contracts to send blood through my veins. As easily as an apple reaches the ground as it falls from the tree. Jesus perplexes me. But He saves me. He has conquered the gravity of my heavy heart and extends His own, pierced and perfect, to restore me. He does it over and over. He’s relentless. He never tires of conquering the troubles. He is forever the victor.
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give it to you.
The world gives in excess, but it is that which leads to emptiness. It promises to fill my lack and temper my longing and engage my desire. And I passively receive, without a thought. Out of habit, out of comfort, in my tired humanity. I get a counterfeit peace, that which lasts for a moment then begs for more. But Jesus? His peace is lasting, and He is a gift. He is a gift I must actively desire, hope to receive, cultivate a longing for. His peace comes in the midst, not in the stead, of trouble and pain. The world forces; Jesus offers. My heart aches for the latter.
Do not let your hearts be troubled. He has conquered the world. And He’s waiting for you to receive His peace. Will you?
