Why “Pursuing Peace”?

The name of this blog is inspired by two verses:  Psalm 34:14, which states, “Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it,” and 1 Corinthians 14:33, which states, “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 

As believers, we are called to pursue peace. I’m not talking temporary peace that comes and goes, but “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

When we pursue Jesus, we are also pursuing peace. This peace is not simply serenity, but the contentment and joy that comes when Christ is your savior. It’s peace amidst life’s many twists and turns. It endures not because our circumstances are good, but because He is good.

This kind of peace is a gift from Jesus Himself. In John 14:27, Jesus says to His disciples, “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives.” Jesus does not give as the world gives. The world gives you a temporary fix; something to hold you over until the next hardship comes.

Jesus gives you peace that lasts because it is anchored in Him alone. How do we pursue this peace? It starts with pursuing Jesus. Reading His word, praying, living in community that points you back to Him, and listening to the conviction of the Holy Spirit.

Another reason I chose to name this blog “Pursuing Peace” is because of my own experience in the pursuit of peace.

During my senior year of high school, I experienced a deep conviction from the Holy Spirit, and instead of listening and obeying the Spirit, I ignored Him and turned the other way.

At the time I was dating someone who was not a Christian, and while I wanted more than anything for the relationship to be good for me, the Holy Spirit told me otherwise. Instead of bringing me peace, the relationship brought me anxiety. Each day, I woke up with the weight of the world on my shoulders, a feeling that did not leave until I broke off the relationship.

It was after this experience that I learned how important it is to feel peace in our endeavors. Whether it be dating relationships, friendships, the college you attend, or something else, we are called to pursue peace. As stated above in 1 Corinthians 14:33, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace.” 

After my experience of being in a relationship that brought me no peace, I came to realize that if I felt no peace about something, it was not from God. To this day, when it comes to decision making, I find myself asking, “Does this bring me peace?”

I learned my lesson when it came to choosing the college I would attend.

Part of my decision making process involved asking myself this question: Does this bring me peace? When I thought about going to the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City, the school my heart was set on at that time, something didn’t sit right. 

But when I thought about going to Azusa Pacific, the answer was a resounding YES. 

The thought of going to FIT was simply unimaginable and scary for me. But for APU, I felt a sense of joy and excitement. I felt peace.

Ladies (and maybe gents), if you don’t feel peace about a decision, think twice. Pray and ask God to direct you and guide your steps. Ask Him in His grace to bring you peace when you arrive at the right decision.

This does not have to only be for major decisions like where to go to college and whether you should date that person or not, but even smaller ones. Currently I am trying to figure out whether or not I want to pierce my nose, and I am figuring out which decision will bring me the most peace: pierced or unpierced.

Even in deciding whether or not to create this blog I consulted the level of peace I felt. As I’m sure you can guess, I felt a profound sense of peace, joy, and excitement in pursuing this endeavor.

Friends, I hope you will stick around on this blog as we journey to pursue Jesus and the peace only he can bring. Remember, God not only knows what’s best for you, He also wants what’s best for you, so listen.

Grace and peace,

Megan