Between Maps and Meaning

Psalm 127:1–2
Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat—for He grants sleep to those He loves.

Being that I wish this year to be known as the year of God’s peace in my life, I found some motivation today to write about His peace. January felt like a never-ending month, and that is not a good sign for a year meant to be marked by peace.

In all aspects but one, I see my life trending in the right direction, but it is hard. My career, for example, is going well, and I should continue to develop it further. Meaning and purpose count for something, though. This is why we go crazy. This is why we come to hate work. This is why life becomes mundane. This is a huge reason why we feel depressed—and I’m not looking to succumb to the meaninglessness of life.

Without God, that is what all of this is: nothing. Everything we do is for nothing and means nothing.

With God, we have purpose. Now, with purpose or without it, life is hard. It’s a burden to continue, and there’s no nice way of putting it. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoy looking at a full moon or watching the sun set over the horizon. In those moments, God reminds me that although life is hard, it’s beautiful too, and all a part of His plan and purpose.

That is God’s peace.

In the hardship of life, He reminds us that His yoke is light. He tells us He can carry our load for a while. Even now, there’s a weight off me, and I can hardly remember exactly what I wanted to say… Perhaps I will simply be thankful and enjoy the Lord.

I pray peace over all of you. I pray you know there is an answer to this nonsense we call our lives—and the answer, the way, is Jesus Christ. Amen.