Oh, this world we're living in.
It seems like each day, there's
something new to be riled up about. I am occasionally blinded by
confusion over happenings in the country (Candidates, ugh!), my
family (Having to accept the choices of others can stink), and
even the church, occasionally (Heartburn over the situation with the BSA). Instead of seeing “Trees of green, red roses, too . . . ,” in this wonderful world, I can get caught up in the trials I
witness and the issues I can't understand. In these times, I call
upon my faith and one of my favorite paraphrases of scripture: “Peace
like a river.”
The concept of having peace like a
river shows up many places in scripture and has been turned into some
lovely songs. I love the imagery that comes each time the
scriptures mention rivers. As Lehi reminds us in 1 Nephi 2:9, they
are continually flowing. We can count on the river to be constantly
moving—always forward, regardless of the obstacles that may be
encountered.
I have loved the peace like a river
metaphor for awhile now, but time and thought deepen my love and
understanding of the phrase. When I originally took note, I think I
imagined the beauty and calm of a river segment somewhat like this one. It didn't take me long before I realized that rivers don't
always look so placid. Sometimes they look like this, this, or even
this. (At this point, you're probably very glad that I've shown you
all these pictures of rivers, since you may not have known what I was
talking about in the beginning. Be advised that I am now talking
about the river in all its incarnations. Except this one.)
Not all of these rivers seemed calm to
me. And yet . . . I was oddly okay with the phrase “Peace like a
river” applying to each of them. Examining all, I found that
rivers, regardless of their state of flowing, bring me peace.
But how? And does the analogy apply in
less than tranquil cases? I submit to you that yes, it does. I believe it is possible to experience peace in situations that would seemingly leave us battered and breathless against the endless stones and torrents.
The Guide to the Scriptures gives the
following insight/definition to the word peace: “In the scriptures,
peace can mean either freedom from conflict and turmoil or the inner
calm and comfort born of the Spirit that God gives to his faithful
Saints.”
God can take us out of the
conflict, but he often takes the conflict out of us.
D&C 121:33 prompts some thought:
How long can rolling waters remain
impure? What power shall stay the heavens? As well might man stretch
forth his puny arm to stop the Missouri river in its decreed course,
or to turn it up stream, as to hinder the Almighty from pouring down
knowledge from heaven upon the heads of the Latter-day Saints.
Paul echoes these assurances; “And
the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your
hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7).”
The flow of the water isn't always slow
and easy, but it's at the most turbulent moments that the river can
be most powerful—if we can only endure to partake of the
clarity of mind available to us. As the scripture in Philippians
suggests, we may not understand how, but the peace of God can trump
all understanding—or lack thereof, and keep us focused on the
Savior. And, as we learn from Nephi, if we live according to the
commandments, “then [will] thy peace [be] as a river, and thy
righteousness as the waves of the sea (1 Nephi 20:18).” We, like the river, can
become an unstoppable force for good.
Henry B. Eyring said it this way:
If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the
hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing.
In all conditions, we can choose the right with the guidance of the
Spirit. We have the gospel of Jesus Christ to shape and guide our
lives if we choose it. And with prophets revealing to us our place
in the plan of salvation, we can live with perfect hope and a feeling
of peace. We never need to feel that we are alone or unloved in the
Lord’s service because we never are. We can feel the love of God.
The Savior has promised angels on our left and our right to bear us
up. And He always keeps His word. ("Mountains to Climb," April 2012, Emphasis added.)
I conclude with some lyrics from one of
my favorite songs and a few more thoughts.
So, hold on thy way,
For I shall be with thee.
And my angels shall encircle thee.
Doubt not what thou knowest,
Fear not man, for he
Cannot hurt thee. . . .
My kindness shall not depart from
thee.
("My Kindness Shall Not Depart From Thee," Words and Music by Rob Gardner)
Yes, I sometimes experience
frustrations, and life can be filled with turmoil. But without my
faith in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and His atonement, I would be
forever hopeless, depressed, and anxious. If my testimony were in the
feeling I get when I go to church, the organization of it, people who attend, or even the
character of the leadership of the church, I would have left long
ago. It is not; however, so I have not, and I will not. Whatever else
may happen in my life, I continue to have faith in God and cannot
deny the truthfulness of the gospel nor the critical way in which I
need Jesus Christ's atonement. So, amid the rocks and rapids of the
world, church, and family, I will continue downstream with the peace
that comes from doing what I know I need to do.
(BONUS: I love this talk by Elder Neal A. Maxwell, but didn't use it. Please enjoy it--the parts that are relevant to this topic, and those that aren't, but are still great!)
