Perfect Peace
Several weeks ago, in a daily devotion he wrote, the Rt. Rev. Stephen Charleston, Retired Bishop of Alaska and a Native American from Oklahoma, wrote, "Come, rest here beside the open window where you can watch the evening breeze play with the curtains, where you can catch the scent of the earth, and hear the birds bid farewell to the sun, as this sleepy old day walks amid the growing shadows like a farmer coming home to find supper on the table. Rest from your labors, from your worries, from the anxious mind that dances like a child wanting more attention. Rest in your dreams, rest in your hopes, rest in your prayers. A grandmother moon looks for you through the window, whispering your name on the evening breeze: Come, rest here and be at perfect peace."
What a perfect way to begin your day as you reflect on those beautiful words from Bishop Charleston. I am reminded of some powerful words that come to us from a particular hymn β each hymn is something like a sermon. Treat each hymn as such and you will be amazed!
Hymn 661 "The Christian Life"
"They cast their nets in Galilee just off the hills of brown; such happy, simple fisher folk before the Lord came down. Contented, peaceful fisher men before they ever knew, the peace of God that filled their hearts brimful and broke them too. Young John who trimmed the flapping sail, homeless in Patmos died. Peter who hauled the teeming nets, head down was crucified. The peace of God, it is no peace but strife closed in the sod. Yet, let us pray for just one thing, the marvelous peace of God.β
And at the conclusion of each Eucharist, we pray, βThe peace of God, which passes all understanding, kept your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you, and remain with your always. AMEN.β
"Rest here and be at perfect peace."
